Thunderstorms and gale force winds on the way in early Bank Holiday weekend weather forecast

The week ahead looks set to be a wet, windy and unsettled one according to Met Éireann's latest forecast.

Unfortunately, these unpleasant conditions are likely to stick around for the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend and into next week too as low pressure continues to dominate causing unsettled and changeable weather. 

Some parts of the country were battered by heavy showers on Tuesday morning, however it will become drier in the afternoon and stay mostly cloudy with just some patches of drizzle and mist. 

Here is how the forecast is shaping up for the rest of the week according to Met Éireann.

Tuesday night will continue to be cloudy with patches of mist in parts which will start to clear towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 11 degrees. 

Wednesday will be mostly dry with just some scattered showers. Rain will develop later in the evening in the southwest and spread eastwards. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees.

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Wednesday night will be a windy one with more outbreaks of rain which could become heavy at times, particularly in the west and north. Areas near the northwestern coast could even experience some gale force winds. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees. 

Thursday will be another cloudy day with outbreaks of rain and drizzle, which again could turn heavy in the north. However, sunny spells will develop throughout the day further north and northwest. It will also be another windy day with strong southwest to west winds. Highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees. 

Thursday night will see widespread rain which will become heavy in parts of Ulster and Connacht. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 12 degrees. 

The forecast closer to the weekend looks somewhat uncertain. For now, Friday will see some sunshine and scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees.

Saturday currently looks like it will be off to a dry start but will eventually see a band of rain spread from the west through the morning and afternoon. Rain looks set to turn heavy on Saturday with the chances of thunder. Highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees. 

Sunday will see more of a mixture of sunshine and showers, although there will be more heavy rain. Again, there is a chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures are also expected to dip between 13 and 17 degrees. 

Bank Holiday Monday looks similar with more sunshine and rain. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18 degrees.