Ireland weather: Met Eireann confirm dry and sunny spells after hail, sleet and thunderstorms

The weather for the coming days is less than ideal as Met Eireann has warned of hail, sleet and thunderstorms in parts of the country.

There will be widespread heavy rain and showers as conditions remain unsettled - but not for too long.

The national forecaster has confirmed that drier, brighter weather is on the way as high pressure is set to build near the country.

In their overview for the next few days, Met Eireann wrote: "High Pressure looks set to build near Ireland bringing a good deal of dry weather."

Things will remain rainy, cold and even thundery for the next few days, but towards the end of the week sunny spells and dry weather will become more widespread.

Here's everything you need to know about the weather forecast for the rest of the week.

Today (Tuesday 25th February)

Fresh today with a mix of sunny spells and showers. The showers will mainly affect the western half of the country in the morning but will become more widespread across the country in the afternoon. Some of the showers turning heavy with the chance of hail. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees in fresh westerly winds. Clear spells and just isolated showers early tonight. However, outbreaks of squally rain will push in from the Atlantic to affect the southwest and then extend northeastwards over the country during the night. There is the chance of a few thunderstorms developing and possibly sleet on some northern hills. Lowest temperatures overnight of between 0 and +3 degrees with gusty southeast winds, veering westerly by dawn on Wednesday.

Tomorrow (Wednesday 26th February)

Rain will clear from east Ulster early on Wednesday to leave a bright and breezy day with a mix of sunshine and scattered showers. Some of the showers will be heavy and prolonged, especially in the northwest with the chance of hail and thunder. Highest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees in fresh to strong northwest winds. howers will become confined to Atlantic coastal areas on Wednesday night and many areas will become dry with clear skies. A cold night with lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees with frost developing in some areas as westerly winds fall light over land.

Thursday 27th February

Thursday looks set to be a bright and fresh day with plenty of sunshine. There will just be a few passing showers, these mainly confined to Atlantic coastal counties. Highest temperatures will range from 7 to 10 degrees in moderate west to northwest breezes. It will become largely dry on Thursday night with long clear spells. Frost will develop in some areas along with pockets of fog. Lowest temperatures of -2 to +2 degrees generally but milder along Atlantic coastal fringes.

Friday 28th February

It is expected to be a mostly dry day on Friday with a mix of cloud and sunny spells. A few light showers will develop in the afternoon, but they will be few and far between. Maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees in moderate to fresh southwest winds. On Friday night, cloud looks set to increase from the Atlantic bringing outbreaks of rain to parts of north Connacht and west Ulster. However, it looks set to hold largely dry elsewhere. Lowest temperatures of 2 to 5 degrees generally but it will be milder in Atlantic coastal areas as southerly winds freshen a little.

Saturday 1st March

On Saturday, a weakening band of rain will push southeastwards over Ireland but rainfall amounts will be small. Drier and clearer weather will develop in the northwest for the afternoon. Maximum temperatures of 8 to 11 degrees with mostly light winds which will vary in direction.

Sunday 2nd March

Current indications suggest that Sunday will bring lots of dry weather but with some areas of mist and fog about. Maximum temperatures ranging from 6 to 10 degrees.