People hoping for a dry and sunny August bank holiday are set to be disappointed. 

Ireland recorded the wettest July in history and anyone going away for the weekend might want to pack a raincoat or umbrella.

“It is looking a bit mixed weather wise,” Met Éireann forecaster Liz Walsh told Newstalk Breakfast.

“Probably Sunday looking like the best day for outdoor activities if you manage to dodge the showers - especially the afternoon and the evening, not looking too bad either.

“But from this afternoon, through to tomorrow morning, a low pressure system will bring a spell of wet and windy weather.

“Then we’re looking at another spell of rain coming through on bank holiday Monday.

“So, the Yellow Level rain and wind warning will come into operation later on today through to Saturday morning.”

A couple of cyclists battle against the rain in the west of Ireland

The bad weather will not even be localised - with bad weather predicted in all four provinces.

“Heaviest rain is likely over central parts of Ireland - where the Yellow rainfall warning is in operation for all of Connacht, central and north Leinster and southern parts of Ulster,” Ms Walsh said.

“The strongest winds for the system will be in southern areas - so places like Cork, Kerry and Waterford, possibly Wexford might be added later today to that yellow wind warning.”

Sunshine After Rain, County Donegal

After the bank holiday, conditions are expected to become “a little bit milder”.

“There’s at least something of a signal that conditions will become milder,” Ms Walsh said.

“Not sure if it’s going to be completely dry but certainly a slightly milder and more settled spell for a time midweek, next week.

“After that, very uncertain and still looks changeable, I’m afraid.”

This summer has seen huge variations; while July saw endless rain - but in June the country was experiencing an absolute drought.

It is a pattern that Ms Walsh said Ireland will see more of in the years ahead as climate change worsens.

“We’ll see more extreme events,” she said.

“So, when we get rain, it’ll be heavier and more likely to be prone to flooding.

“But when it’s drier, we’re likely to see longer droughts and things like that.”

Main image: People out for a walk in Bantry. Picture by: Alamy.com