There’s a blustery, cold and wet week ahead with the colder conditions impacting grass growth and the growth of new-born animals, according to Met Eireann.

Today, Monday, will be a cold day with passing heavy showers of rain and hail.

A yellow weather warning for strong winds was also issued today for the southern half of the country.

Westerly winds of mean speeds 50-65 km/h are promised to gust 85-100 km/h this afternoon and evening in southern parts of Munster and Leinster. The warning is in place until 8.00pm tonight.

There will also be some thunderstorm activity too with highest temperatures reaching 6 to 8 degrees.

After Storm Imogen hit the country at the weekend, it will remain very windy today with strong to gale force southwesterly winds veering westerly.

These winds will moderate this evening and tonight and it will feel cold with lowest temperatures around freezing.

While there are clear spells promised tonight there will be some scattered showers also.

In the week ahead, there will be excessive rainfall in all areas, with twice normal amounts likely in western counties, according to Met Eireann.

These accumulating volumes of rainfall during the coming week may bring some rivers close to flood levels yet again this winter.

Looking to tomorrow, Tuesday, it will be a cold and blustery day with wintry showers with highest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees.

There’s a chilly day in store on Wednesday with frost and icy patches starting the day. Temperatures will be between 5 and 8 degrees in moderate westerly breezes.

While there will be some good sunny spells at first, it will turn cloudy as a band of light rain and sleet moves eastwards across the country.

Met Eireann has promised frost and icy patches again on Wednesday night.

As has been the norm for the past number of weeks, there will be little or no drying this week and conditions will be unsuitable for spraying.

There will be a cold end to the week, with many areas remaining dry on Thursday with sunny spells, however there will be some wintry showers in parts.

Temperatures will just reach between 3 to 7 degrees on Thursday in light moderate southwesterly breezes.

On Thursday night, wintry showers may become more widespread and there may be some icy patches also.

Friday is promised to be another cold day with wintry showers and highs again of only 3 to 7 degrees.

Current indications for the weekend suggest that the cold weather will continue with some wintry showers and night frosts.

However, there is a possibility of milder weather returning next week, Met Eireann said.