MET Eireann have issued a major weather warning as “heavy and persistent” rain looks set to batter certain counties.
The weather bosses have put a yellow rain and wind warning in place for Dublin and Wicklow from 12pm today until 8pm tonight.
Met Eireann warned of: “Rain, heavy at times, coupled with gusty winds, strongest near the coasts and on higher ground.”
They have warned of a flood risk as well as traffic delays and disruptions.
And the UK Met Office have also issued a yellow rain warning for Antrim, Armagh and Down.
However, even the counties who escaped today’s weather warning are in for a wet period thanks to a “complex area of low pressure”.
Met Eireann’s Mark Bowe warned: “We had a good taste of rain yesterday and there’s plenty more on the way over the next day or so.
“We are well on track for this week to be a good bit wetter and cooler than normal.”
Today will start wet and cloudy with widespread and heavy bands of rain, heaviest in Leinster.
Spot flooding is a risk in this province, particularly in the two counties with the rain warning.
Mark said: “The rain will become widespread across the country during the afternoon and evening.”
Northerly winds will be strong and gusty throughout the day with highest temperatures of 10C to 13C.
Tonight, the “heavy and persistent” rain will begin to clear southwards but it will remain cloudy.
Winds will ease too, leaving tonight’s lowest “cool” temperatures at between 4C to 7C.
However, along the coast a Status Yellow Gale warning is in place for Carlingford Lough to Carnsore Point to Mizen Head.
This is operational from 6pm today until 3am Friday.
Slightly drier conditions will arrive on Friday as a cool and cloudy start dominates, with just a scattering of showers drifting down from the north.
Some sunshine is expected to peak through tomorrow too with highs of 10C to 13C.
Friday night will be cold with a fresh breeze as temperatures drop lower than previous days to between 2C and 6C.
Showers will continue although the southern half of the country will escape the overnight downpours staying “mostly dry”.
WET WEEKEND
Unfortunately, the weather does not improve any for the weekend.
Met Eireann said: “Rather mix weather over the next few days and quite cold too for this time of year.”
Saturday is the milder of the days with scattered cloud and a mostly dry outlook.
Even some “good sunny spells” are expected with temperatures remaining around 10C to 13C.
However, parts of Connacht and Ulster will be hit by isolated showers at times.
Sunday will see “more persistent rain” move in with “very strong” winds along the west coast.
Temperatures look set to fall between 12C and 15C.
And Monday also looks to follow the same pattern with early indications suggesting another “unsettled day”.
Met Eireann forecasters said: “Looking ahead current models indicate another very unsettled day with heavy rain at times and very strong and gusty winds throughout. Temperatures likely to be in the mid-teens.”