Scattered showers and cool temperatures forecast this weekend

Scattered showers are expected this weekend as temperatures are set to remain cool with a possibility of frost in places, according to Met Eireann.

This morning, Friday, will see persistent and sometimes heavy rain in the south extend northeastwards.

Brighter, drier conditions with showers are set to follow during the afternoon, while there will be a danger of some of those showers becoming heavy.

Highest temperatures of between 7 to 9 degrees are forecast in moderate or fresh southeast winds, but winds are expected to be strong or gusty at times near southwest and west coasts.

Tonight, Friday, is set to be mainly dry and cold apart from showers in some coastal areas.

Temperatures are expected to fall to as low as -1 degree overnight with some sharp local severe frost also forecast.

Drying conditions are set to be poor over the coming days due to scattered showers, but conditions may remain reasonable in parts of the east, according to Met Eireann.

This weekend and early next week may see an improvement in spraying conditions as winds are set to become light or moderate.

As has been the case recently, well and moderately drained soils are mostly trafficable at present and are forecast to remain so over the coming days.

However, poorly drained soils are saturated and may become waterlogged, with moderately drained soils expected to deteriorate at that stage also.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Saturday, is set to be cold and bright with sunny spells expected in some areas.

But scattered showers are forecast for the west and north, with the possibility of these turning wintry on higher ground.

Maximum temperatures of between 5 to 8 degrees are expected during the day.

Some frosty conditions and sub-zero temperatures are forecast for Saturday night, with frost possibly clearing in the west and south by morning.

Sunday

Showers of rain are expected for a time in most places on Sunday, but it is set to be a dry start in the east and it is forecast to turn drier in the west in the afternoon.

Afternoon temperatures will range between 7 to 10 degrees, except in parts of Ulster where temperatures will hold around 5 or 6 degrees.

Outlook

Early indications suggest that the beginning of next week will see some unsettled weather, with Atlantic rain systems bringing some mild, wet and windy spells as well as some cooler drier brighter periods.

Some strong winds are likely in places on Monday and again at times later in the week.