WEATHER: Wind and heavy rain on the way

Turning colder this week with temperatures returning close to average. Breezy and showery, some of the showers wintry, especially on higher ground.

This morning, a band of rain over Ulster, Connacht and west Munster will extend southeastwards over Ireland. It will clear slowly through the afternoon with sunshine and a few showers following from the northwest.

Highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees. Fresh southwest winds will become moderate westerly as the rain clears.

It will be mainly dry for a time tonight, but rain will spread from the southwest overnight, becoming heavy at times. Becoming rather windy too with southerly winds increasing fresh to strong and gusty.

Lowest temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees early in the night, coolest in the north.

Wednesday, will start off cloudy, wet and quite windy with rain, which will clear eastwards through the morning. Bright or sunny spells and scattered showers will follow.

Fresh to strong southwest winds will veer westerly as rain clears and will ease later. Highs of 10 to 13 degrees in the morning, but turning cooler as rain clears.

Wednesday night will bring some clear spells for a time and a scattering of showers, before a band of heavy and possibly thundery rain spreads from the west, clearing again overnight.

Turning colder once the rain clears, with clear spells and showers following, some heavy and of hail, with a chance of thunder. Some will turn to sleet or possibly snow, mainly over higher ground.

Breezy with moderate to fresh and occasionally gusty southerly winds, veering southwest to west and decreasing mostly moderate inland. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees, with a touch of frost possible later in sheltered parts.

Here comes the rain again! At least it is mild rain as opposed to the cold rain that is coming later in the week. Sadly a lot more rain to come tonight and over 40mm is possible in parts of Southwest which falling on saturated ground could lead to some local flooding, be aware. pic.twitter.com/Aaj0CFIAEZ

— Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) February 20, 2024