Met Éireann has forecast for it to be rather misty but dry in most places at first on Friday, with the best of any sunny breaks in the east.

However, cloudy conditions are forecast with outbreaks of rain along western coastal counties, will extend eastwards over the country during the course of the afternoon and evening, with some heavy bursts occurring.

Top temperatures will range between 9-12°C in light to moderate south to southwest breezes but fresh at times along Atlantic coasts.

Rather misty but dry in most places at first tomorrow, with the best of any sunny breaks in the east.

Heavy rain is forecast for a time on Friday night but looks set to clear eastwards before midnight. It will be dry and cool for a time, but more wet and windy weather will push in off the Atlantic later in the night, in strengthening southerly winds.

Lowest temperatures on Friday night will vary between of 4-7°C.

Saturday

Saturday is forecast to be windy and blustery, with strong and gusty southerly winds veering southwesterly, with gales or strong gales at sea.

Met Éireann has forecast widespread heavy rain in the morning but this will later give way to sunny spells and scattered showers for the afternoon.

Temperatures will range between 8-12°C. Some scattered showers are forecast overnight also, but winds are set to ease later with most places drying out. It will be cold before dawn, with lows of 2-5°C, giving a slight frost in places.

Sunday

Current indications from Met Éireann suggest Sunday will be bright, with sunny spells and well scattered showers.

However it warned that there is a threat of cloudy wet weather affecting Munster and south Leinster for a time. It will be fresh, with highs of 8-10°C, in moderate southwest to west winds.

It is forecast to be cold and breezy overnight with clear spells and just a few showers, with lows of -1°C to -2°C, with a widespread frost.

Management notes

Sheep

Weather is ideal for lambing but there are a few issues to be mindful of including ewes going on their backs, grass tetany and prolapse, writes Darren Carty.

Beef

Adam Woods takes a look at getting cattle out, derogation deadlines, young calf health and highlights the mart demos taking place around the country over the next few days.

Dairy

This week, Aidan Brennan looks at silage stocks, youngstock weights and whether to feed milk replacer or not.

Tillage

Unseasonably good ground conditions should be availed of to get an amount of spring sowing completed, writes Andy Doyle.