Today

Very wet and windy today with rain becoming widespread and persistent affecting all areas throughout the day. The rain will be heavy in places in the afternoon and evening, especially near mountains and in coastal areas of the west and south, bringing a risk of localised flooding. Only by evening will a gradual clearance develop in western areas.

Winds will be strong and gusty southerly, reaching gale force in coastal areas but moderating during the afternoon while veering westerly. Highest temperatures of 9 or 10 degrees.

Tonight

Rain clearing in most areas and winds will become light and variable; some patches of fog will develop later in the night. Near southeastern coasts rain could linger as a frontal rain band stalls over the Irish Sea and then slowly moves back northwards by dawn.

Lowest temperatures generally between 2 and 4 degrees, coldest in the northwest, but no lower than 6 or 7 degrees in the cloudier southeast.

Weather warning

Rainfall warning for Wicklow, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Cork and Kerry (status yellow)

Heavy rain on Friday with accumulations over 30 mm likely on higher ground (in effect until midnight)