Today will be dry in many areas throughout the country but rain will become persistent in western counties during the afternoon. It will spread eastwards to affect other areas this afternoon and evening. The rain will remain persistent in the west and north while it will become more scattered this evening in the east and south. Highest temperatures of 16 to 22C, warmest in eastern counties.

The rain and drizzle will clear in the east early tonight and it will become dry apart from scattered showers in parts of the west and northwest. Overnight lows of 10 to 12C.

Saturday will see dry and bright conditions in eastern areas for a time but there will be scattered outbreaks of rain in western areas in the morning. This rain is due to spread eastwards in the afternoon and evening. Afternoon highs of 16 to 19C, highest in the east and breezy with fresh and gusty south to southwest winds.

The rain will clear eastwards on Saturday night and it will become dry in most places with just a few showers in parts of the northwest.

Sunday will see bright and fresh conditions in many places with sunny spells and just the odd shower. However, thickening cloud will bring rain into western and southwestern parts in the evening. Afternoon temperatures of 17 to 20C, in a moderate west, backing southwest breeze. There will be rain in all areas overnight with strengthening winds.

The mix of sunny spells and scattered showers is due to continue into the start of the week with highs of 15 to 19C, highest in the southeast, on both Monday and Tuesday.

Our tillage editor Andy Doyle says that weather permitting, some growers hope to begin harvesting winter barley next week. To read more from Andy on this click here.

Sheep specialist Darren Carty says rainfall and favourable soil temperatures have seen grass growth rates rise sharply in recent days which is leading to greater difficulty in managing sward quality. To read more on this from Darren click here.

Beef editor Nathan Tuffy says that docks are growing quickly in silage aftergrass and they are ideal for spraying while still in rosette stage. To read how to save on costly spray when carrying this out, click here.

Finally, dairy specialist Aidan Brennan tells us the best cure for seed heads emerging, even at low covers.