Met Éireann has said the weekend will bring further dry weather, but more changeable conditions are forecast from Sunday.

However, rainfall amounts for drought-hit areas of the country look unlikely to be sufficient to increase soil moisture levels.

Today (Friday, August 14), is cloudy overall with dry in most areas with well-scattered showers, mainly in the western half of the country.

Highest temperatures will range from 17°C in the north-west to 26° in the south-east, while it will feel fresher in the light to moderate northwest winds.

Dry in most place tonight with some isolated showers in the west and north. Overnight lows of 10° to 15° in a light northwesterly breeze.

Weekend

Saturday will be dry with an odd light shower, sunny spells in the south and east will become more widespread.

Cloud is expected to build in the north and west towards evening.

Highest temperatures of 15° to 23°, again warmest in the southeast, with a light northwesterly wind.

Dry in many place on Saturday night, cloud will extend from the west with some patchy rain and drizzle in the west and north.

Lowest overnight temperatures of 10° to 14°, with light variable breezes.

Mainly cloudy on Sunday with rain and drizzle which will become patchier as it moves eastwards across the country. Many areas will stay dry, particularly further south and east.

Highest temperatures of 17° to 22°, coolest in Ulster and Connacht in light to moderate south to southwest breezes.

Cloudy on Sunday night with just some patchy outbreaks of light rain and drizzle. There will be light westerly winds with lowest temperatures of 13° to 17°.

The national forecaster said that as the new week begins high pressure will lose its influence and a more "mobile Atlantic regime" will take over.

Monday will be cloudy with some sunny spells. There will be some patches of rain or drizzle, before more persistent rain arrives into the west later in the evening. Highest temperatures of 19° to 25° in moderate west to southwest winds.

The current outlook is for unsettled conditions to continue for the rest of the week.

Weather

In its latest farming commentary, Met Éireann has said rainfall amounts will remain below average across most of the country over the coming week.

However, rainfall amounts expected to be close to or slightly above average in the west and north-west.

Temperatures will return closer to average in the coming week, but will be around 1° above average in some eastern and southern parts. Mean soil temperatures will remain above normal.

Over the coming week, soil moisture deficits in the north-west are likely to decrease further with some poorly drained soils becoming waterlogged.

Elsewhere, soil conditions will remain similar with near-drought or drought conditions persisting in the south-east.

Weather conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight will occur from Sunday morning until Monday morning in western and northwestern areas.

Met Éireann said there will be opportunities for spraying on today and tomorrow.