ALERT: Five-day Irish weather forecast from Met Éireann has some major predictions

FRIDAY: Cooler and fresher Friday, with bright or sunny spells. Many places will be dry, although a few showers will occur, mainly across the west and northwest.

Highest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in a moderate to fresh west to southwest wind, strong at times along Atlantic coasts.

OVERVIEW: Mild overall, though with brief incursions of colder air. Rain at times, generally heaviest and most persistent in the west and north.

FRIDAY NIGHT: A few showers scattered about early on Friday night, but largely dry for most with variable cloud and clear spells.

Any showers will become confined to the west and north as the night goes on. Southwesterly winds will decrease mainly light to moderate, but it'll stay breezier near western and northern coasts. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees.

SATURDAY: Some bright or sunny breaks early on but becoming mostly cloudy by the afternoon with patchy rain and drizzle developing in the west and spreading elsewhere later.

Highest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees in mostly moderate southerly winds, fresh near some coasts.

Mostly cloudy on Saturday night with patchy rain, drizzle and mist. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 9 degrees in mostly moderate southerly winds, fresh near coasts.

SUNDAY: Although there is more uncertainty than is typical at this timescale, current indications suggest it will be a rather mild and breezy day on Sunday.

Sunny spells look likely to develop at least for a time, but cloud, along with outbreaks of rain will push into western counties from afternoon, extending southeastwards later.

The rain will be followed by colder conditions.

Highest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees in freshening southerly winds, increasing strong to near gale on coasts.

There is potential for the rain to push in sooner in which case it could end up being a cooler and wetter day overall.

Outbreaks of rain will continue to spread southeastwards over the country on Sunday night.

Turning cold in the clearance in the northwest.

Lowest temperatures ranging from a cool 2 degrees in the northwest to 10 degrees in the southeast.

MONDAY: Outbreaks of rain look likely to move up from the south during Monday, with the potential for some heavier falls, especially in the west.

Afternoon highs (currently) projected to between 5 to 9 degrees.

FURTHER OUTLOOK: Generally unsettled conditions persisting with breezy conditions and spells of rain at times.