The unsettled weather is set to continue this week, with Met Eireann forecasting scattered showers across the country and the possibility of sunny spells developing in places.

Temperatures are forecast to drop below the average for this time of year, despite last week recording the highest temperatures of the year so far.

Today will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers becoming widespread this afternoon, becoming heavier in some parts of Connacht, Ulster and north Leinster.

These showers will gradually become more isolated as the evening goes on with some sunny spells developing nationwide, according to Met Eireann.

Afternoon temperatures will reach between 14 and 16 degrees in parts of the west and northwest, but milder elsewhere with highs of 17 to 19 degrees.

Tonight will be mostly dry in the east of the country with some clear spells, but rather cloudy elsewhere with scattered showers affecting the western half of the country.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Tuesday, will be predominantly cloudy with scattered showers promised, according to Met Eireann. In western coastal areas rain will develop during the late afternoon, extending to all areas by evening and turning persistent in some places.

Winds will be light westerly or variable, but in coastal areas of Munster and south Leinster southwesterly winds will freshen in the evening.

Highest temperatures will range between 16 degrees in the northwest to 20 or 21 degrees in the south.

Tuesday night will see persistent rain clear eastwards with light variable winds becoming northwesterly and lowest temperatures of 9 to 14 degrees.

Wednesday

Wednesday will be dry and bright in many areas as rain in the east clears into the Irish Sea. Scattered showers will develop during the day in some areas, but some good sunny spells will appear between the showers, according to Met Eireann.

Highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees in light westerly breezes. Wednesday night will see outbreaks of rain and drizzle, becoming more persistent and widespread overnight.

Thursday

The rain may turn heavy and persistent in parts of Ulster during the early hours of Thursday morning. However, these heavy showers will clear to bright or sunny spells and scattered showers for the afternoon, with highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees.

Early indications are that Friday and Saturday will be mostly dry with light winds, sunny spells and just a few showers, according to the forecast.

Drying conditions will be no better than moderate in most areas thanks to frequent showers during the week. Similarly, opportunities for effective spraying conditions will be few and far between.