Sunny spells will return this weekend, but there is a danger of heavy showers in some areas, according to Met Eireann.

This morning, Friday, rain is expected to clear northeastwards; the rest of the day is set to brighten with good sunny spells in many places throughout the morning.

Heavy thundery showers are also likely to break out and are forecast to become widespread through the afternoon and evening.

Temperatures are set to reach highs of between 12 and 15 degrees in moderate southwest breezes.

Tonight it is expected to be cold, with scattered showers likely to effect some coastal areas.

Patches of mist, fog and frost will also develop in some areas, as temperatures drop to as low as 2 degrees.

Drying conditions will improve through the weekend and there should be plenty of opportunities for spraying, according to Met Eireann.

The majority of land is in good shape and very workable right now, it added.

Saturday

Tomorrow, Saturday, is set to be a fresh day, with sunny spells and scattered showers; there is a danger of some of these showers turning to hail.

Showers are forecast to be mostly confined to the western half of the country, with parts of the east escaping fully dry.

Top temperatures of between 10 and 14 degrees are expected in moderate northwesterly winds.

Saturday night will be dry and cold, as temperatures drop close to freezing in places. Patches of mist, fog and frost are also likely.

Sunday

It is forecast to be mostly dry and bright, with good sunny spells in all areas on Sunday.

Temperatures are set to reach between 12 to 15 degrees in moderate southerly breezes.

It will be mostly dry overnight, but there is a risk of some drizzle later along Atlantic coasts.

Outlook

It will be mostly dry for the eastern half of the country, but some rain is indicated to gradually move in across Atlantic coastal counties.

It is expected to be pleasantly mild by early afternoon with temperatures ranging in the low to mid-teens.

Early indications suggest it will be very mild but rather showery on Tuesday, with the prospect of dry and bright weather for the midweek period.