Friday

Friday will be a cool, but dry and bright day.

There will be scattered showers across the northern half of the country, but mainly dry elsewhere.

Highest temperatures of 9°C to 12°C.

Cloud will build over the afternoon ahead of rain arriving overnight, which will spread over the country from the southwest.

Rain will be heavy at times, with strong and gusty winds, and temperatures of 3°C to 7°C.

Saturday

A wet and windy start will clear over the course of the day, leaving sunshine and some showers.

Fresh winds will remain after the rain clears, but an otherwise mild day, with temperatures of 13°C to 17°C.

Saturday night will bring more frequent and widespread showers with fresh southerly winds. Lows of 7°C to 10°C.

Sunday

The widespread showers and winds will continue into Sunday, with a risk of hail and thunderstorms also.

There will be limited dry spells, with the heaviest rain falling in the west, with winds easing during the afternoon.

Highest temperatures of 12°C to 15°C, with showers continuing overnight.

Monday

Another wet day is forecast for Monday, with more widespread showers, falling as hail at times, with the risk of thundery downpours.

Short bright or sunny spells in places, with highs of 12°C to 15°C, and moderate breezes, stronger near coasts.

Management notes

Beef

This week, Adam Woods looks at the further impact the cold weather is having on grass growth, the start of breeding on suckler farms and gives a reminder about the upcoming BPS deadline.

Sheep

In this week’s sheep notes, Darren Carty writes about drafting spring lambs for slaughter, the increased incidents of grass tetany in recent weeks and the importance of keeping a close eye on yearling hoggets rearing lambs.

Dairy

Aidan Brennan looks at the progression of the breeding season, reseeding paddocks in May and weaned calves at grass, in this week’s dairy notes.

Tillage

Andy Doyle talks about the continued harsh weather and gives an update on how winter and spring crops are progressing in this week’s tillage notes.