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All eyes are on the weather as farmers hope that the tough spring conditions will start to soften as summer approaches.
Cool temperatures at the beginning of the year had a severe knock-back effect on grass growth, with most of the country only having a third of the growth they had this time last year.
However, although temperatures are rising, Met Éireann predicts that there are a few rain showers on the way this weekend.
Ulster
Saturday: Outbreaks of rain are expected later on in the day, with strong, gusty southeast winds. Temperaures will range from 6°C to 8°C.
Sunday: A cloudy and windy start to the day, with outbreaks of rain. There will be some sunny spells later in the day, with highest temperatures ranging from 11°C to 13°C.
Munster
Saturday: Cloud will develop this evening in the southwest of the country, with torrential outbreaks of persistent rain expected overnight. The rain will become lighter as morning approaches, with lowest temperatures between 8°C and 9°C.
Sunday: There will be windy outbreaks of showery rain, particularly heavy in parts of the southwest.
Some sunny spells are also expected for the east of Munster, with strong southeasterly breezes and top temperatures between 10°C and 13°C.
There will be a few sunny spells for the rest of this afternoon and early evening and staying dry apart from some patchy light rain. However, later this evening rain will develop in southwest Munster. Highest temperatures will range from 12°C to 14°C. pic.twitter.com/QYrUwOEMDC
— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) April 14, 2018
Connacht
Saturday: Cloud building throughout the day, with some rain on western coasts by evening and southeasterly winds increasing.
Rain will start in the west of the country and gradually spread east overnight, with lowest temperatures between 7°C and 9°C.
Sunday: The rain is expected to clear on Sunday, with some bright and sunny spells expected throughout the day. There will be some occasional rain showers, turning heavy Sunday evening.
Highest temperatures will range from 11°C to 13°C.
Leinster
Saturday: The day is expected to be mostly dry but with an increasing southeasterly wind as night falls. There will be outbreaks of rain overnight, with gusty southeast winds and lowest temperatures ranging from 6°C to 8°C.
Sunday: Outbreaks of rain and strong winds are expected throughout the day, though the rain will clear by the afternoon with some sunny spells.
Top temperatures will range from 11°C to 13°C.
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