Met Éireann is forecasting drier but cooler conditions over the coming days compared to recent weeks, with just occasional outbreaks of rain or drizzle in patches.
As today (Monday, March 29) progresses, drizzle will be confined to Atlantic coastal counties, with sunny spells developing elsewhere, especially in the east.
Highest temperatures today will generally be in the order of 14° to 17°, though a little cooler along Atlantic coasts, in fresh and gusty southwest winds.
Tonight
Tonight will be mostly cloudy and dry, apart from some patchy drizzle in the west.
Clear spells will develop in the southeast as the night progresses, with mist patches forming as southerly winds ease. Lowest temperatures will be 7° to 10° generally, falling to between 4° and 6° under clear skies.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 30), will see mostly dry conditions with just isolated patches of drizzle near northwest coasts where it will stay mostly cloudy.
Sunny spells will develop elsewhere, and it will feel quite mild, with highest temperatures of 15° to 18° – a little cooler in the northwest – in light to moderate southwest winds.
On Tuesday night there will be clear spells in the southeast to start; however, cloudier conditions elsewhere will spread to all parts by morning.
A band of a rain will extend from the northwest to parts of Connacht and west Ulster overnight, remaining mostly dry elsewhere. Lowest temperatures will be 5° to 9° in light variable winds.
Wednesday
Wednesday (March 31) will be mostly cloudy, with the best of any bright spells in the southeast.
Outbreaks of rain and drizzle in the northwest will persist through the morning and gradually break up during the afternoon, with just occasional patchy rain and drizzle elsewhere.
It will be much cooler compared to the preceding days, with highest temperatures of 9° to 13°. Generally, however, it will be a degree or two warmer in the southeast. Northerly breezes will be light to occasionally moderate.
Wednesday night will be mostly dry with clear spells developing and just the risk of isolated patchy drizzle along the south coast. Lowest temperatures should be 4° to 8°. Light northeasterly breezes will veer easterly and increase moderate to fresh by morning.
Thursday
Thursday (April 1) will be dry, with good sunny spells and some passing clouds.
Highest temperatures will be just 10° to 13° generally, coolest along northern and eastern coasts, increasing to between 14° to 17° in the southwest.
Winds will be moderate to fresh and easterly, decreasing mostly moderate by evening.
Thursday night will be dry and cold with clear skies in light northeasterly breezes. Lowest temperatures will be 0° to 4°, coldest in the north with some frost possible.
Friday
Friday (April 2), will be dry, with good sunny spells. However, it will be cloudier at times over the northern half of the country.
Highest temperatures are expected to be 9° to 13°, coolest in the north and along eastern coasts in light to moderate northerly breezes.
Friday night is expected to be dry and mostly clear. However, cloud will increase in northern Ulster by dawn. Lowest temperatures should be 1° to 4°, with some patchy frost possible in south Leinster in mostly light northerly breezes.
Soil conditions
In its latest farming commentary – issued yesterday (Sunday, March 28) – Met Éireann said that most well-drained soils are trafficable.
Away from the east and southeast, moderately and poorly drained soils are generally saturated or waterlogged.
With the generally drier weather expected this week, field conditions are likely to improve.