-- Temperatures will average 2 deg below normal values.
-- Rainfall will average near normal, to 25% above normal in parts of the inland north.
-- Sunshine will average about 75 per cent of normal values.
-- Wind speeds will become moderate tonight and strong at times on Thursday, then back to moderate for most of the period Friday to Monday, somewhat lighter again after that.
FORECASTS
TODAY will be partly cloudy with just a few isolated showers; cloud will begin to increase from the west this afternoon. Highs 13 to 15 C.
TONIGHT will be overcast with occasional rain, winds southerly 40 to 70 km/hr becoming quite blustery near the south and west coasts. Lows 7 to 9 C.
THURSDAY will be breezy to windy at times, and wet with intervals of rain, breaking to showers across the south but staying more like a constant light to moderate rain in parts of the north. With low pressure tracking in towards Galway Bay, most of Connacht, Ulster and north Leinster will have southeast winds backing to northeast during the night, and 10-20 mm of rain, highs only 12 to 14 C. The south will have moderate to strong southwest winds, veering westerly by evening, and also 10-20 mm rain, highs 14 to 17 C. Winds near the south coast could reach gale force (70-110 km/hr).
FRIDAY will see gradual clearing during the morning and sunny intervals most of the day, with bands of showers likely to develop in moderate west to northwest winds. Lows near 7 C and highs 12 to 14 C. Winds west-northwest at about 50 to 80 km/hr.
SATURDAY will be partly cloudy to overcast with occasional light rain, lows near 6 C and highs near 14 C.
SUNDAY will be mostly cloudy with occasional rain, breezy and cool, lows near 6 C and highs 12 to 14 C.
MONDAY will have variable amounts of cloud and some showers, cool with lows near 5 C and highs 11 to 13 C.
Most of next week is likely to remain rather cool, but there is at least some chance of longer dry spells developing as high pressure begins to build to the north. In a light northeast wind flow, the west might begin to see temperatures returning to near average at times (17-19 C) but the east will be cooled by the Irish Sea in this wind pattern.
Peter for IWO.