Dull day overall with drizzle and the odd bright spell

Weather update from Met Éireann

Continuing cold this week, but generally frost free. Breezy at times with some rain and drizzle, becoming a little more widespread for a time later in the week. That's the latest weather outlook from Met Éireann.

Another dull day overall today, Wednesday, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mainly in Connacht and Munster. Drier elsewhere with the chance of the odd bright spell. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with mostly moderate east to southeast breezes, fresher near Atlantic coasts.

Cloudy tonight with outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the west and southwest edging a little further eastward. Patches of mist and hill fog will occur too. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees generally, though less cold in the southwest, in a mostly moderate southeast wind, fresher at times in Atlantic coastal areas.

Mostly cloudy again tomorrow, Thursday, but many places dry to begin, apart from patchy rain and drizzle in Connacht and Munster. It'll become breezier and windier as the day goes on, with more persistent rain spreading from the southwest in the afternoon. Much of the north and east will stay largely dry until after dark though. Highest temperatures 4 to 7 degrees generally, but a few degrees milder in the southwest. Moderate to fresh and gusty southeasterly winds will develop countrywide by the afternoon, increasing strong to near gale in coastal parts of the southwest and west.

Wednesday night will be cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the west, moving a little further eastwards. There's the chance of a little sleet over higher ground. The rain and drizzle will be most persistent in the west and southwest, where a few heavier bursts are likely, along with some mist and hill fog, while the rain will be patchier and light elsewhere with plenty of dry spells. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees generally, though less cold in the southwest, in a mostly moderate southeast wind, fresher at times in coastal parts of the southwest and west.

Cold and breezy on Thursday with some scattered outbreaks of mostly light rain and drizzle, mainly in the west and southwest and tending to become mostly confined to the southwest through the morning. However, more persistent and heavier rain will move up from the southwest into Munster, Connacht and parts of south Leinster, through the afternoon and evening. Highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees generally, but between 6 and 9 degrees in Munster, in moderate to fresh and gusty southeast to east winds, stronger in coastal parts of the south and southwest.

Cloudy and breezy overnight on Thursday with outbreaks of rain and drizzle spreading northeastwards, some of it heavy, especially further to the south and west for a time. A little sleet is possible for a time over higher ground in the north and east. Lowest temperatures generally of 2 to 5 degrees, but less cold in the southwest with temperatures there ranging from 6 to 8 degrees, in fresh and gusty east to southeast winds, stronger in some coastal parts.

Friday is expected mostly cloudy with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, most persistent early in the day, but with drier spells developing into the afternoon, especially further to the east. Highest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees generally but milder across Munster with highs of 8 to 11 degrees. Breezy for a time, especially further to the east and north, with moderate to fresh east to southeast winds, though the winds will decrease mostly moderate by the afternoon.

Continuing mostly cloudy on Friday night with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, especially in the south and west, but some drier spells too. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees generally, but once again less cold in much of Munster, in moderate to fresh east to southeast winds.

There's uncertainty in the forecast and temperature profile for next weekend and details may change closer to the time, with high pressure to our east trying to keep the Atlantic weather fronts out to the west, but with rain trying to push further eastwards at times.

At the moment though, it looks like Saturday will be cloudy and breezy with some outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mainly in the southwest and west, while it'll probably hold drier further east. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in moderate to fresh southeast winds.

It's likely to be dry in many areas on Saturday night, but there's the chance of some rain at times, especially further to the west and south. Some clear spells are likely, especially further to the east and north. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 5 degrees generally, but less cold in the south and southwest in moderate to fresh southeast winds.

It looks like there'll be some bright or sunny spells on Sunday, especially further east. Overall there's likely to be a good lot of dry weather for a time, but with rain and drizzle moving into the south and west and possibly spreading further eastwards later. Highest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees, highest in the southwest in moderate, occasionally fresh southeast winds.