Weather Ireland: widespread rain forecast with some thunderstorms possible, Met Éireann forecasts this weekend

The heaviest of the rain will be in the morning and afternoon with the wet weather easing off later to reveal sunny spells.

Highest temperatures of between 6C and 9C are expected, though northwest winds will make it feel colder.

Frost is likely overnight and temperatures will drop to between 0 and 5C.

Sunday will start out dry with some sunshine in the north, east and midlands. That will change into the afternoon as cloud builds and rain is forecast to spread into Munster, Connacht and parts of Leinster. Daytime temperatures will be between 8C and 11C.

There will be outbreaks of rain and drizzle on Sunday night and temperatures are expected to be between 4C and 8C.

For next week, Met Éireann has said there will be further rain, some heavy at times.

"Unsettled and fairly cool for the week ahead and into Easter weekend, with further spells of rain or showers. Some of the showers and rain will be heavy with some spot flooding expected,” Met Éireann said.

Monday will be mostly cloudy and heavy rain will bring with it the chance of flooding in places. Though the southwest will experience some bright spells. Highest temperatures will be between 7C and 10C. The rain is expected to continue overnight when temperatures will be between 4C and 6C.

It will be a little drier on Tuesday according to Met Éireann though it will be a cloudy day. The more persistent rain will be in the south and southwest and daytime temperatures will be between 9 and 12 degrees and will drop to between 2C and 5C overnight.

Heavy rain at times is expected on Wednesday though it will clear northwards throughout the day with some bright or sunny spells following. The rain will return later with the possibility of hail and thunder too. Daytime temperatures of between 7C and 9C are expected and will fall to -2C to 2C overnight.

Weather for Easter weekend is not expected to improve according to Met Éireann.

"It looks set to stay unsettled for the remainder of next week and into the Easter weekend with further showers or longer spells of rain, heavy at times”, Met Éireann said.