It is set to remain mainly dry this weekend, but unsettled conditions are likely to develop early next week, according to Met Eireann.

Today, Friday, is expected to be mostly dry; bright or sunny breaks will develop a little more widely than previous days.

A good deal of cloud is still forecast though, especially across more northern parts of the country. The north of the country may also be hit with some scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle.

Temperatures are set to range from 12 or 13 degrees in northern counties, to 15 or 16 degrees further south in light northwesterly breezes.

Tonight is expected to be cool with some patchy drizzle and mist in places, mostly affecting the northern half of the country.

Overnight lows of 7 or 8 degrees are expected in the cloudy areas. But it will be possibly 3 or 4 degrees in parts of the southwest, where clear periods may develop with some patchy fog.

Met Eireann has described drying conditions as ‘mostly moderate’ over the coming days. A colder, windier and more showery regime will begin to unfold from next Monday onwards.

Winds will be mostly light for the coming few days with plenty of opportunities for spraying in most areas, Met Eireann said.

Opportunities are expected to be limited at times in Connacht, Ulster and in north Leinster, with some rain and drizzle appearing. Conditions are set to deteriorate next week with rain and increasing winds.

Field conditions are good at the moment, with no great change forecast.

Saturday

It is set to be mostly dry on Saturday, but rather cloudy in the morning over the northern half of the country.

A little patchy rain is also expected, but brighter and generally drier conditions are likely in the afternoon with perhaps a scattering of showers in southern parts of the country.

Highs of 10 or 11 degrees in the north and northeast are forecast; down to about 14 or possibly 15 degrees in the southwest along with light winds. It is is likely to be cold on Saturday night with some grass frost possible in northern areas.

Sunday

Sunday is forecast to be mainly dry and bright, with some scattered showers. Highs of 11 to 14 degrees are expected.

Some showery rain will move into northern areas on Sunday evening and spread southwards overnight, according to Met Eireann.

Early next week

Early indications for next week suggest that cold, bright weather with freshening northerly winds will bring showers or showery rain southwards at times.

It is expected to be particularly cold in northern parts of the country, with some wintry showers possible on high ground.

Temperatures will range from about 6 or 7 degrees in the north, to 10 or 11 degrees in the south, according to Met Eireann.