St Patrick's Day weekend Laois weather forecast from Met Éireann

Communities around Laois will be praying for the luck of the Irish on St Patrick's Day when it comes to their parades because Met Éireann is forecasting sun and scattered heavy showers on the big day.

The forecaster has given its weather prediction on what to expect for Sunday, March 17 and the rest of the St Patrick's weekend when, while it will be mild, rain will never by far away.

Saturday will feature persistent rain around Ireland while the big day will start on a damp not but will improve to feature sunny spells and showers with similar conditions on the Bank Holiday Monday. Listen to Joanna Donnelly's Weekend forecast.

Saturday: A wet day with rain extending nationwide during the morning and persisting for much of the day. Rather breezy too with moderate to fresh southerly winds. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees, coolest across the north.

Mostly cloudy overnight with rain becoming patchier overnight. Longer drier spells too, but overall damp and misty. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees in moderate southwesterly winds.

Sunday (St. Patrick's Day): Damp and cloudy to begin, with sunny spells and scattered showers developing for the rest of the day, with some heavy ones possible. A mild day with highs of 12 to 15 degrees in light to moderate southwest breezes.

Clear spells and outbreaks of showery rain moving eastwards overnight, with some heavy falls possible. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees with light to moderate southerly breezes.

Monday: Sunny spells for most, with some well scattered showers. A cloudier day is possible further south with patchy rain or drizzle. Mild and humid with highs of 12 to 15 degrees in no more than moderate southwesterly winds.

Tuesday: Rain clearing during the morning to leave a breezy day of sunny spells and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees with fresh to strong southwest winds.