Most places will start dry today with sun in the east for a time, but thickening cloud in the west of the country will bring rain there this morning.

Freshening southerly winds will bring warmer than usual weather for the time of year, with temperatures this afternoon reaching between 11 and 14 degrees.

In the afternoon the rain will become widespread as it moves eastwards across the country and by evening will start to become heavy, with possible thundery downpours. 

Through the evening a clearance to showers will start to develop in the west of the country. Winds will veer to the northwest and ease with the passing rain. Lowest temperatures will reach between 5 and 7 degrees.