Field conditions are set to remain poor this week as heavy spells of rain are expected, according to Met Eireann.

All soils are currently at saturation and they are not forecast to recover in the coming days.

This morning, Monday, will be mostly cloudy at first with a few patches of mist and drizzle.

The remainder of the day will bring a mix of cloud, sunny intervals and just a few showers in the west and north-west. Highest temperatures will range from 7º to 11º in moderate to fresh westerly breezes.

Outbreaks of rain will reach south-west Munster this evening and will spread quickly north-east across the country overnight.

The rain is likely to be heaviest and most persistent in the west and north-west – but, rather patchy elsewhere. A misty night with minimum temperatures of 4º to 7º in northern counties is expected; but, temperatures may rise to between 8º and 10º in all areas later in the night.

Conditions for both spraying and drying will be poor this week on account of the wet and windy weather forecast, Met Eireann added.

Tomorrow

It is set to be blustery tomorrow with patchy rain during the morning; it is likely to be heaviest and most persistent in the north and north-west of the country.

The rain will clear away eastwards in the afternoon, with bright spells and scattered showers following. Maximum temperatures of 9º to 12º in strong and gusty southwesterly winds are given.

Tomorrow evening is expected to be largely dry – but, a spell of heavy rain will reach western counties early in the night and then extend eastwards to all areas.

The rain will be accompanied by gale-force south or southwesterly winds with some severe gusts possible along the Atlantic seaboard. Temperatures may drop to as low as 3º, according to Met Eireann.

Wednesday

On Wednesday, rain is forecast to clear from eastern counties early in the morning to leave a fresh and blustery day with sunny spells and showers.

The showers will be most frequent in the west, with the risk of hail and thunder. Highest afternoon temperatures are expected to range from 6º to 9º.

These showers are set to persist in Atlantic coastal counties overnight, with the continued risk of hail and thunder. It is likely to become largely dry elsewhere, with a slight frost forming in sheltered parts.

Outlook

It looks set to be cool and showery on Thursday, with the continued risk of hail and thunder in Atlantic coastal counties. The showers may turn wintry at times over hills.

Highest temperatures during the day will vary from 5º to 9º in fresh northwesterly winds. It is forecast to be cold overnight with a fairly widespread frost expected.

Current indications suggest that Friday will begin dry and bright with hazy sunshine. However, a band of rain is expected to push in from the Atlantic during the afternoon – but, it should remain dry in the east until after darkness.

After a cold start maximum temperatures on Friday will range from 6º to 10º in freshening southerly winds, Met Eireann added.