Frost across parts of the northeast and east early this morning will gradually clear as winds begin to freshen.

It will become windy through the day, with Met Éireann forecasting strong and gusty southeasterly winds to develop.

It will be mainly dry at first, with variable cloud cover across Ireland. Brightest skies likely further east.

Rain and drizzle will move into west and southwest coastal areas later on Friday morning, turning heavier in the afternoon and extending into remaining parts of Munster and Connacht.

A status yellow rainfall warning is in place for Munster, Galway, Mayo and Sligo from 3pm on Friday until 3pm on Saturday.

Falls of 30 to 50mm are expected and spot flooding is likely. It will remain dry across many other areas until after dark.

On Friday night, a spell of heavy persistent rain will continue to move eastwards in the evening and early on in the night, with the ongoing risk of spot flooding and surface water, especially across the southwest and west.

It will still be rather windy in fresh and gusty southeast winds. There will be low cloud and mist in parts too. Friday night will be frost free with lowest temperatures ranging 5°C to 8°C.

Saturday

There will be a wet start on Saturday across much of Ulster and Leinster, with further outbreaks of rain.

The rain will tend to become confined to eastern areas later in the day, but rather persistent here with local spot flooding and fresh onshore winds.

Elsewhere, it should become largely dry with some brighter spells, though mist and fog patches will persist locally with slacker winds.

Highest temperatures will range between 6°C and 10°C, coolest in the damp/wet weather across the north and east.

A dry night is forecast overnight, with misty or even foggy conditions setting in, all in near calm conditions.

There will be frost in parts too and lowest temperatures will range between -1°C to + 3°C, coldest and probably clearest in the west and southwest.

Sunday

On Sunday, any overnight frost or fog should clear by mid-morning as southerly winds increase moderate in strength.

Most of the country will see a dry day, but becoming rather breezy too with limited amounts of sunshine generally.

Later in the day, active weather systems will begin to encroach form the north Atlantic. Rain will arrive into the northwest and west by evening, extending countrywide after dark with some heavy falls expected.

Highest temperatures ahead of that will range between 7°C and 11°C, coolest across the eastern half of Ireland.

Management notes

Beef

In this week’s beef management notes, Adam Woods looks at liver fluke, rumen fluke and lice.

Dairy

In the dairy notes, Aidan Brennan looks at going chlorine-free and preparing for calving.

Sheep

Meanwhile, Darren Carthy examines the Schmallenberg virus, the Sheep Welfare Scheme and biosecurity when fostering lambs.

Tillage

In the tillage section, Andy Doyle looks at the cold spell, slugs and uncut straw and the impact they will have for tillage farmers.