Weekend weather: a mixed bag in store with sunny spells and showers

Early mist and low cloud clearing to give a mainly dry, bright day today (Friday) with some sunny spells developing, with any showers light and well-scattered.

Top temperatures will range between 14°C and 18°C in moderate southwest winds, which will be fresh at times, on southern and western coasts.

Some heavy showers will develop early Friday night along the Atlantic seaboard, but it should be largely dry elsewhere, with some clear spells, according to Met Éireann.

Saturday

Tomorrow, Saturday, looks set to be bright with sunny spells, but fairly widespread showers are forecast also, some of which will be heavy.

There will be top temperatures of 14°C to 18°C and moderate southwest winds will be fresh at times in some coastal areas.

It is expected to be cool overnight on Saturday, with lows of 5°C to 8°C, in light to moderate southwest or variable breezes.

A lot of dry clear weather is forecast, but some showers are likely to persist, these mainly affecting parts of the Atlantic seaboard.

Sunday

There will be a fairly dry start to the day in many places, with sunny spells and with showers well-scattered.

However, showers will be fairly widespread by early afternoon, when many will be heavy.

Temperatures will rise to 17°C in parts, in moderate southwesterly breezes. It is to dry out during the evening and early night, with clear spells to bring a cool night with lows of 4°C to 8°C.

Cloudy, wet weather is set to return from the southwest later in the night, giving some heavy rain in places by dawn. South to southwest winds will increase fresh and gusty.

Beef

In this week’s beef management notes, Adam Woods advises that it is time toseparate bull and heifer weanlings to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Dairy

Dairy specialist Aidan Brennan looks at animal health, heifer weights and what fertiliser to use ahead of the next cut of silage.

Sheep

Meanwhile, in this week’s sheep management notes, Darren Carty looks at how farmers can be getting prepared for weaning and selecting replacement ewes.

Tillage

In tillage this week, Andy Doyle looks at how spring crops are developing and at T3 fungicides for winter cereal crops.