Met Éireann said that this weekend will bring a mixture of sunny spells and showers, some of which may be heavy or thundery.

The national forecaster said that high pressure will steadily build near Ireland next week and the weather will turn drier.

This morning (Friday, June 13), rain will clear to the north and will be followed by sunshine and scattered showers, with some heavy falls in areas.

There is a risk of some thundery downpours developing in parts of the southwest. Highest temperatures of 17° to 21°C in mainly moderate southerly winds.

After a dry start showers will extend from the south and become widespread across the country tonight. Some of the showers may be heavy and possibly thundery in nature. Overnight lows of 9° to 12° with light easterly or variable breezes.

Saturday morning will be cloudy with showers or more prolonged spells of rain. Some sunny spells may develop in the afternoon as the cloud breaks, particularly in the south.

Met Éireann said that the sunshine could lead to further showers, with some of these heavy and thundery. Highest afternoon temperatures of 14° to 18° with moderate westerly winds.

Showers will clear from the east and northeast on Saturday night with many areas being dry and clear for a time. Cloud will build from the west later in the night bringing further scattered showers.

Sunday will be cloudy and showery at first, but brighter spells are expected later in the day. Highest temperatures of 15° to 18° in moderate west to southwest winds.

Mainly dry on Sunday night, apart from a few showers in the northwest. Lowest overnight temperatures of 8° to 11°, feeling coolest in the south and southeast.

Monday will be mostly dry with a mixture of cloud and sunny spells. Highest afternoon temperatures of 17° to 22° in moderate to fresh southwest winds.

On Monday night, outbreaks of rain and drizzle will spread from the Atlantic to western and northern counties.

There will be some rain and drizzle at first on Tuesday which will clear as the day progresses. Moderate westerly winds and highest temperatures of 16° to 21°.

Current indications suggest it will become mainly dry from Wednesday with sunny spells and some isolated showers.

In its outlook, Met Éireann said that heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected over the next few days, though conditions will become more settled from early next week.

Rainfall amounts are expected to be below average in the north and west, and above average in the south and southeast.

Temperatures be close to or above average over the coming week. Soil temperatures are expected to rise a little over the next seven days.

Drying conditions will be poor given the frequency of showers. However, conditions will be moderate to good in any sunnier breaks that do occur between the showers.

There will be some opportunities in between showers over the next few days and early next week.

Soil moisture deficits are between 0mm and 45mm with the driest soils in the south. Most soils in the north midlands are close to saturation. Values will continue to decrease in the coming week.

Met Éireann has issued an advisory for potato blight with conditions conducive to the spread of the disease today and tomorrow.