Met Éireann has today (Thursday, August 20) issued a nationwide advisory for potato blight.

The national forecaster said that weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur from 1:08p.m today until 7:00p.m, Thursday, August 27.

All counties in the Republic of Ireland are affected.

Met Éireann said there will be opportunities for spraying on Saturday and Sunday, August 22 and 23, apart from a few showers.

Potato blight is a plant disease caused by a fungal-like organism called Phytophthora infestans.

The pathogen spreads rapidly in humid weather in the foliage of potatoes and tomatoes, causing the foliage to decay and the potato/tomato to be infected.

Forecast

Looking at the national forecast, Met Éireann has said that there will be some bright or sunny spells for the rest of today, but predicted showers too and some will be heavy, especially in parts of the east and south-east.

The showers will become more isolated later this evening.

The forecaster said that tonight will feel "cooler than recently”, with highest temperatures of 14° to 19°C, in a moderate to fresh northerly breeze.

For tonight, the national forecaster has said there will be clear spells and scattered showers, mainly in the north and west.

Lowest temperatures of 7° to 11° are forecast, with winds decreasing light to moderate north-westerly.

Tomorrow (Friday, August 21), will bring a mix of sunshine and some showers, mainly in the north and west in the morning, before moving further eastwards and southwards in the afternoon.

The showers are expected to die away during the evening.

Highest temperatures of 14° to 18° in light to moderate northerly winds are predicted.

Outlook

According to Met Éireann, the weather will become largely dry for the weekend and the start of next week with mainly light winds and some overnight mist and fog.

Most places will be dry with sunny spells on Saturday. There is a chance of a stray light shower in the northwest. Highest temperatures of 15° to 19° in light north-westerly winds.

Saturday night promises to be largely dry with long clear spells. Mist and fog will develop in near calm conditions.

Lowest temperatures of 7° to 11° are expected.