Will the weather lift this summer weekend? Mix of unsettled conditions forecasted

Another summer weekend approaches, with many making plans for beach trips, outdoor gigs and other events – but will the weather finally cooperate?

Despite it being the middle of the July, Met Éireann has warned that we'll need our raincoats rather than our swimming gear this weekend as it is forecast to remain largely unsettled over the coming days.

The national forecaster is predicting a dry Friday with some scattered showers will slowly spread from the northwest throughout the morning and afternoon.

The day looks set to be a cloudy one overall and the best of any sunny spells will break through in the south and east later in the day.

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Highest temperatures will be between 15 and 18 degrees.

The unsettled conditions are set to continue throughout the weekend, with Met Eireann forecasting a cloudy start on Saturday with outbreaks of light patchy rain and drizzle spreading southwards over the country.

However, some sunny spells are expected to develop through the day with further scattered showers developing also. It is expected to be a warm day with highest temperatures of 15C to 19C in a light northerly or variable breeze.

The rain is expected to ease up on Saturday night, which will be mainly dry with clear spells as showers become isolated early on in the night before eventually dying out altogether.

Lowest temperatures of 8C to 11C are expected with mist and fog patches forming overnight in light variable breezes.

And Sunday will have a dry start with sunny spells but, again, scattered showers will develop through the morning and afternoon.

Highest temperatures will be 16 to 20 degrees.