Wet and windy day ahead with chance of hail and thunder

Weather update from Met Éireann

Unsettled weather conditions for the rest of the week and turning colder this weekend. That's according to the latest report from Met Éireann.

Today will be windy and showery with very strong gusts along Atlantic coasts this morning. Showers will merge into some longer spells of rain. Isolated thunderstorms and hail are likely. Many areas, away from the north and southwest, will have a dry spell in the afternoon. Later, rain will extend from the southwest to all areas but the north. Highest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees, in mostly strong and gusty westerly winds.

Widespread outbreaks of rain will move in from the west with low cloud and mist patches. Southwesterly winds will be strong to very strong at times across the southern half of the country, but much lighter elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees will occur early in the night.

Tomorrow will be dull and damp at first, with locally wet conditions. While sunny spells will develop, some passing blustery showers will track west to east too, some turning to hail across Atlantic counties later, and becoming very windy as strong to very strong westerly winds develop. Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees.

Thursday night will see a mix of clear spells and scattered showers, turning prolonged across the north and northwest with the potential for hail and isolated thunderstorms. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees with fresh to strong southwesterly winds.

Daytime blustery showers will mainly affect the north and northwest on Friday with sunny spells across many other areas. Remaining windy with fresh and gusty westerly winds. Feeling cold with highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees.

Turning cloudy and wet overnight on Friday as a band of rain pushes in from the southwest and spreads to all areas. Scattered showers following the clearance towards morning. Becoming windy as fresh to strong southwesterly winds develop. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees.

Remaining windy Saturday with fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds. Scattered showers and sunny spells, though feeling cold with highest temperatures of 3 to 6 degrees,

FURTHER OUTLOOK: Windy and cold with a wind chill factor. Spells of rain will be followed later by wintry showers.