Met Éireann issued its first blight warning for 2016 this week, with warm humid conditions widespread. The warning, which was issued on Sunday night, was in effect through to late Thursday in parts of the south and southeast of the country, especially in coastal fringes.

Conditions conducive to the spread of potato blight may still be present in parts where soil remains humid.

It will be a bright, fresh weekend with sunny spells and dry apart from isolated showers.

It will be cool along the north and east coast, with onshore winds and temperatures here in the low to mid-teens.

Milder elsewhere with highs of 16°C to 20°C. The nights will be chilly, with ground temperatures falling close to zero in rural areas.