ALERT: Weekend Irish weather forecast changes due to modelling 'struggles'

"Saturday is not looking as windy now, thankfully," according to Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly. 

He added: "Weather models struggling a little bit recently and could be due in part to cuts in USA weather data collection and research."

Saturday: Damp or wet to begin with, with cloud and rain gradually clearing eastwards, giving way to a mix of bright or sunny spells and showers spreading from the west.

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The showers will become largely confined to the east by evening. Highest temperatures of just 11 to 15 degrees with moderate northwesterly winds developing and increasing fresh at times near coasts.

Overview: Gradually becoming milder and more humid from the south next week, but remaining changeable.

Saturday night: Becoming mainly dry and clear for a time on Saturday night. Some showers will move in from the Atlantic later in the night, mainly affecting western and northwestern counties.

Lowest temperatures of 4 to 9 degrees, coldest in the east where largely clear skies will prevail, in light to moderate west and southwest breezes.

Sunday: Sunday will bring a mix of sunshine and showers, although it will be generally cloudier in the west and southwest. Highest temperatures of 13 to 17 degrees in moderate westerly winds.

Variable cloud and clear breaks on Sunday night along with just well scattered showers, mainly in the west and north. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in light to moderate southwest breezes.

Monday: Often cloudy on Monday, with occasional drizzle. The best of the limited bright or sunny spells will be in southern counties.

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More persistent rain and drizzle will develop in parts of Ulster and Connacht later in the day. Highest temperatures of will range 13 to 18 degrees, coolest in the northwest with moderate westerly winds.

Tuesday: Some uncertainty in the exact details but current indications for Tuesday suggest mostly cloudy conditions over the northern half of the country with patchy rain and drizzle.

Brighter, sunnier conditions further south with scattered showers. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees in light to moderate westerly or variable breezes.

Further Outlook: Generally mild and humid but continuing mixed and changeable.