The weather is set to remain generally unsettled for much of this week with some showers or longer spells of rain, Met Éireann said.

However, the national forecaster said it will become gradually warmer with more settled weather expected by next weekend.

This morning (Monday, May 18), will be dry in many areas with some bright spells.

Cloud and rain will extend from the southwest during the day, some heavy falls of rain in places. It will remain dry in Ulster and north Leinster for much of the day.

Highest afternoon temperatures of 11° to 15°C in mainly light to moderate southerly or variable breezes.

Those winds will veer south-easterly later and increase moderate to fresh later, stronger in southern and western coastal parts.

Rain will clear to the north-east tonight, followed by some dry spells, but showers and longer spells of rain pushing in from the south-west later.

It will feel milder than previous nights in lowest temperatures of 8° to 11° with moderate to fresh south-east winds, veering southerly and decreasing mostly moderate.

Weather

Tuesday will be a mostly cloudy day with widespread showers, merging to longer spells of rain at times. There will also be a chance of some isolated thunderstorms in places.

Highest temperatures of 11° to 16° in moderate, occasionally fresh, south-west wind, stronger at times in southern and western coastal areas.

Further showers on Tuesday night, with longer spells of rain in the north. It will become drier later. Moderate, occasionally fresh, south-west winds with overnight lows of 8° to 11°.

Some scattered showers on Wednesday, especially in the north. Elsewhere, there will be a mix of cloud and sunny spells. Cloud will build in the west and south-west by evening, bringing some rain and drizzle.

Highest temperatures of 13° to 18° in mostly moderate, occasionally fresh, south-west winds, easing later and becoming southerly.

Cloudy on Wednesday night with outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Lowest overnight temperatures of 11° to 13° in mostly moderate, occasionally fresh, southerly winds.

Most cloudy with showers or longer spells of rain on Thursday, some heavy falls possible in the west and north-west. Highest temperatures of 14° to 19°, with moderate, and at times fresh, southerly winds.

Mostly cloudy again on Friday with showers or outbreaks of rain, some heavy falls in the west and south-west. Some bright spells are possible in the east.

Some hill and coastal mist and fog, especially in the south. Highest temperatures of 14° to 19° with light to moderate southerly winds.

Met Éireann said conditions are currently expected to become drier, warmer and sunnier next weekend as an area of high pressure is due to take charge of the weather.

The national forecaster said that temperatures could reach up to 23° in places on Sunday.

Met Éireann

In its latest farming commentary, Met Éireann said that 20-35mm of rainfall is generally expected over the coming week (130-170% the average).

The rainfall amounts will be lowest in the south-east and highest in the west.

Mean air temperatures are expected to be a couple of degrees above average for this time of year, with temperatures of 12° to 14° across the country.

Drying conditions will generally be limited due to rain and showers at times. However, there may be some opportunities later in the week, particularly in the east and south-east.

It will be a similar situation for spraying, with limited conditions due to rain and showers for the coming days. Some better opportunities may develop later in the week.

Soil moisture deficits for all soil types currently range from around 20mm to 55mm, highest in the east, with some restriction to growth.

With above average rainfall expected over the coming week, values will decrease countrywide, ranging between 25mm and 40mm in parts of the east and south-east.

Soil moisture deficits of between 0mm and 25mm are expected elsewhere with soils in parts of the north midlands, north-west and south-west becoming saturated or waterlogged.