Met Éireann forecasts sun to unleash in Laois for Ploughing grand finale in Ratheniska
Sun cream and sunglasses weather forecast Met Éireann for Ratheniska final day of National Ploughing Championships
Ratheniska has dazzled in the sun for the National Ploughing Championships in Laois and the final day of the huge festival of farming is set to be just as spectacular on the weather front.
Met Éireann, which has a stand at the Ploughing, forests day three to bring more of the same if not better to the Midlands location, which is hosting the huge event for the final time after a four-year run.
The event endured terrible weather in 2023 but this year's edition couldn't have been more different and it looks set to end in spectacularly sunny conditions and possible record crowds as a result. MORE BELOW TWEET.
Sunshine recorded over the last seven days was above the average across the country and it's also been warmer than average for September.
As for Thursday, Met Éireann says any mist and fog patches will clear tomorrow morning. It will be another dry day with long spells of sunshine, the sunshine may turn hazy at times later in the afternoon and evening.
The forecaster expects highest temperatures of 20 to 24 degrees generally, but a few degrees cooler near the east coast due to a light to moderate easterly wind.
There'll be clear skies for trip home from the ploughing on Thursday night. Mist and fog patches will form in light northeast or variable breezes later on but lowest temperatures will be about 8 to 12 degrees. MORE BELOW TWEET.
Ploughing avenue. Pic: Alf Harvey
Highest temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees, coolest near the east coast in a light to moderate east to northeast wind. It'll hold dry in most places on Friday night, with some clear spells, especially in the west, and with a few patches of mist and fog. Cloudier further east with the chance of a few drizzle patches or light showers. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 14 degrees in light to moderate east to northeast breezes.
Saturday will start out a bit cloudy with patchy drizzle affecting mainly parts of Leinster and Munster. It should brighten up in the afternoon and evening with sunny spells developing for many, but the chance of a few showers also. It will likely hold dry in the west and north, though. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees, coolest in the east in mostly moderate easterly winds. Clear spells and a few showers, mainly in the east and south on Saturday night. Drier further north and west with a few mist and fog patches. Lowest temperatures of 9 to 14 degrees in light to moderate northeast breezes.
Met Éireann says the best of the sunshine on Sunday will in the west and north. It'll be cloudier further south and east with scattered showers or perhaps longer spells of rain. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees in light to moderate northeast breezes.
Monday is looking largely dry with just a few showers. Still some uncertainty for the following days, but current indications suggest it'll turn more unsettled with some wet and breezy conditions at times.