Temperatures set to soar to 18 degrees today but weekend washout lies ahead

Heavy rain expected on Saturday

Temperatures could soar to a warm 18 degrees across Waterford today but heavy rain is expected over the coming weekend, according to Met Éireann.

Dry, bright and mild or even rather warm today, Thursday, with long spells of hazy sunshine. Highest temperatures 13 to 18 degrees, best values in the north and west of the province. Moderate to fresh east to southeast breezes, occasionally strong near the west coast.

Dry with clear spells to begin tonight. Cloud will gradually build from the south, bringing showers or perhaps longer spells of rain to southern parts at first, then spreading northwards towards dawn. Milder than recent nights with lowest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in moderate to fresh, southeasterly winds decreasing light to moderate towards dawn.

Friday

Mostly cloudy tomorrow, Friday, with scattered showers, the showers merging to give longer spells of rain at times. A few heavy or thundery downpours are possible. Highest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees in light to moderate east to southeast breezes.

There'll be further outbreaks of rain on Friday night along with areas of mist and drizzle. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 9 degrees in mostly light southeast or variable breezes but moderate to fresh northerly winds will develop near western and southwestern coasts overnight.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy on Saturday with showers or longer spells of rain, turning heavy at times. Highest temperatures of 9 to 13 degrees in the east but turning colder through the afternoon as light variable winds turn light to moderate, occasionally fresh northwest.

Colder further west with afternoon highs of just 6 to 8 degrees in moderate to fresh northwest winds, strong and gusty near Atlantic coasts. Further showers or longer spells of rain on Saturday night but turning drier from the west overnight. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds.

Sunday

Patchy rain is expected to clear from eastern areas early on Sunday to leave a generally dry day across the country with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Highest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh northerly winds. Dry and cold night on Sunday night with clear spells and mainly light northwest breezes. Lowest temperatures of between zero and plus 4 degrees.