Unsettled week of weather but set to improve towards weekend

Weather update from Met Éireann

There's more rain on the way - though Cavan is likely to get away more lightly than other counties.

A 'Status Yellow' rain warning has issued for counties Cork, Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Mayo and neighbouring Co Leitrim, meaning parts of west Cavan could be impacted.

Met Éireann is warning of "heavy and persistent rain at times" with a potential for localised flooding and difficult travelling conditions.

The warning takes effect at 3pm today (Monday) and will remain in place until 10am tomorrow (Tuesday).

Meanwhile, the national weather forecaster is predicting a generally unsettled week but there are early indications of drier and more settled weather developing during the weekend and beyond.

Expect some patchy rain and drizzle this morning, mainly over the northern half of the country but it will brighten up for a time from the south with hazy sunny spells developing. However, thicker cloud will spread from the Atlantic this afternoon with rain developing in Atlantic coastal counties, turning heavier and more persistent by evening. Rain will extend nationwide during the evening. Highest temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees with strengthening southerly winds.

Wet and windy tonight with outbreaks of heavy rain bringing the possibility of localised flooding, especially Atlantic areas. An isolated thunderstorm is possible also. Temperatures not falling below 13 to 16 degrees in fresh to strong and gusty southerly winds.

A wet start on Tuesday with a band of rain pushing gradually eastwards over Ireland with the continued chance of spot flooding. A clearance to sunny spells and isolated showers will follow across the west during the morning, extending eastwards into the afternoon with the last of the rain clearing from the southeast by around mid-afternoon. Highest temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees in fresh southerly breezes, strong at the coast.

Clear spells and isolated showers early on Tuesday night. Showers will become more widespread across the western half of the country later in the night, some heavy. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in moderate southwest winds.

Sunny spells and showers on Wednesday, the showers becoming widespread during the afternoon, some turning heavy with the chance of thunder. Highest temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in fresh and gusty southwest winds. Clear spells and a few showers on Wednesday night, the showers mainly affecting Connacht and Ulster. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees in moderate southwest breezes.

A bright and fresh day on Thursday with plenty of sunshine and just a few scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in moderate westerly winds. Mainly dry on Thursday night with long clear spells. However, patchy rain and drizzle will push in across the southwest and west by dawn on Friday. Minimum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in light to moderate southwest winds.

It looks set to be mostly cloudy on Friday with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in moderate southerly winds.

Early indications suggest the weekend will be mostly dry with spells of warm sunshine developing, especially on Sunday. However, there is still the chance of a few showers, mainly in the west and northwest.