Visitors to the National Ploughing Championships over the coming days are being advised to pack raincoats and suncream.

That's the message from Alan O'Reilly of Carlow Weather who said the two remaining days of the 95th championships at Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly will bring mixed conditions.

The first day of the event today (Tuesday, September 15) saw mainly dry, bright and breezy weather for the 77,000 visitors to the site.

Alan O'Reilly told Agriland that Wednesday will be a more cloudy day, but it is expected to be largely dry.

"We could get a little bit of drizzle here and there but pretty much dry again, [and] a little bit breezy.

"Thursday then will be a very mixed day with very good sunny spells, very breezy and there will be some showers around again.

"Some of those could be heavy enough they'll move through quite quickly in that strong wind. But you’ll probably still want the raincoat tied around the waist," he said.

"It feels quite warm when the sun is out but then when the sun goes in it is fresh so it's kind of jacket on jacket off, or jumper on, jumper off [weather].

O'Reilly said that the wind will particularly be strong on Thursday.

"It will be quite breezy and when those showers hit you will get those little gusts as they come in, especially on Thursday," he said.

Overall, Alan O'Reilly said the weather has been "pretty good" for the over 350 competitors out on the ploughing fields.

"There was very heavy rain yesterday evening, but the ground has taken that really well. There's still a little bit of soil moisture deficit there to take a little bit," he said.