Unsettled conditions are on the way this weekend, with initial sunny spells followed by rain or showers at times, mainly in the east and south, followed by a return to mainly dry and settled conditions early next week, according to Met Éireann.
It will be mainly dry and bright this morning, with early mist and fog patches soon clearing, the national meteorological office notes.
Cloud and outbreaks of rain will feed up from the south to affect parts of Munster and south Leinster this afternoon and evening, with the odd heavy burst in places, but it will stay mostly dry with sunny spells further north.
Top temperatures of 13° to 18° are expected, with it to be warmest in Connacht. Moderate east to north-east breezes will keep temperatures cooler near eastern and southern coasts, Met Éireann adds.
Mist and fog patches will recur, with lows of 3° to 8°, coldest in Ulster, in light to moderate easterly breezes.
Conditions
Parts of the north-west will initially see relatively good drying conditions with just a slight risk of a shower over the weekend but this will reduce somewhat by an increased cloud cover. Better drying conditions are set to return early next week, the forecaster says.
Limited spraying opportunities may remain for parts of the north and west through the weekend; this is expected to improve somewhat early next week for all areas, but with the risk of showers.
Regarding field conditions the recent mainly dry weather has meant that trafficability is good on many soils.
Conditions will quickly dry again out after the weekend, Met Éireann says.
Tomorrow
It will be mostly cloudy on Saturday with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, mainly in the east and south.
Conditions will be rather misty in parts of Munster and south Leinster, with hill and coastal fog. The limited sunshine will occur in the north-west.
Tomorrow night will be mainly cloudy with patchy light rain, drizzle and mist. Lows of 5° to 8° are expected in light east to southeast breezes.
Sunday
Sunday will likely bring a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. Some of the showers could be heavy, with perhaps the odd rumble of thunder, Met Éireann notes.
Top temperatures will hit 12° to 16°, coolest near east and south coasts in onshore east to southeast breezes.
Winds will be mainly light easterly with some mist and fog patches forming. Lows of 5° to 8° are forecast.