Ireland is set for a brutal weekend of weather with lots of heavy rain expected all over the country.
While today will be relatively dry Friday is set to bring a spate of heavy shows leading to a risk of spot flooding in. some areas.
And those heavy showers are going to continue right through the rest of the weekend with Met Eireann warning that they will turn thundery at points.
But there is some good news as a major change in the weather is expected by next week with temperatures set to climb again next week with much more dry conditions expected.
A forecaster said: This morning will be mostly cloudy with a fair amount of dry weather and scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle, which will become confined mainly to the southern half of the country this afternoon.
"There'll be a few sunny breaks too. Highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees with light variable or southeast breezes. Rain will develop in the southwest towards nightfall.
Tonight, rain in the southwest will spread northeastwards over much of the country and will become heavy at times, especially in Munster and Connacht. Eastern parts of north Leinster and Ulster will stay mainly dry.
Friday will be cloudy and wet with spells of rain in all areas, heaviest in Munster and Connacht with a risk of spot flooding. In the evening, the rain will be heaviest over the eastern half of the country with drier weather developing in the west. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees with moderate to fresh southerly winds.
On Friday night, rain will continue over the eastern half of Ireland and will be heavy at times. It will be drier further west for much of the night.
But showers will move in from the Atlantic by morning. Mild and humid, with temperatures no lower than 14 to 16 degrees Celsius and light to moderate southerly breezes.
Saturday morning will be dull in the east of the country with further rain, which will clear slowly through the morning and early afternoon. Brighter weather with showers will follow from the west. The showers will become widespread and heavy through the afternoon and evening and some may be thundery with a risk of spot flooding. Highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees with mostly light southerly or variable breezes.
On Sunday, some bright intervals will develop after any mist or fog clears. There'll be a good deal of dry weather and some scattered showers. It will be warm with highest temperatures of 18 to 21 degrees and light northerly breezes.
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, it looks like high pressure will dominate the weather over Ireland. It will be warm and largely dry with sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 19 to 22 degrees with mostly light east to southeast breezes.
