Cold spells to be replaced with dry, wet and strong winds over the weekend are expected

SATURDAY: Less cold and generally cloudy but with a good deal of dry weather, with scattered patches of light rain and drizzle. More persistent rain will develop in the evening. Windier with fresh to strong southerly winds. Highest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees.

SATURDAY NIGHT: A wet start to the night with widespread rain, clearing eastwards to scattered showers and clear spells overnight. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 6 degrees with winds easing moderate southwesterly.

SUNDAY: Becoming wet and windy with heavy rain spreading from the southwest and strong to near gale force and gusty southerly winds developing. Gales developing on some coasts are also expected. Highest temperatures of 11 to 13 degrees.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Very windy and wet with very strong and gusty southwest winds and gales on the coasts. Widespread heavy showers will gradually become more scattered overnight as winds veer westerly. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 7 degrees.

FURTHER OUTLOOK: Current indications suggest that there will be a brief spell of drier weather by Wednesday, but it will remain unsettled for the rest of the week with further rain and breezy conditions.