The weather outlook for the week ahead will "be unsettled" with both rain and sunny periods forecast by Met Éireann.

The national meteorological service has also warned that rainfall amounts could be "well above average in the west and north, closer to normal further south and east".

But parts of the southeast are "expected to fare drier than average".

According to Met Éireann last week saw rainfall amounts "well below normal" across the country with most areas seeing less than 20% of average rain.

But in its latest farming commentary it has advised that drying conditions will be "often poor this week, only Improving moderate or good for short periods".

"Spraying opportunities will be rather limited due to unsettled conditions", it added.

In general the national meteorological service has indicated that it will be "relatively mild" and humid at times with the warmest conditions in the south and east.

Today (Monday, June 23) the weather is expected to be mainly dry with "variable cloud" and some sunny spells developing in places.

"Cloud will increase from the west later, with outbreaks of rain and drizzle moving into the west and southwest by evening time, becoming a little more widespread by nightfall, accompanied by some hill and coastal mist and fog," Met Éireann outlined.

It expects highest temperatures of between 16° to 22° with mainly moderate west to southwest breezes.

However tonight there are likely to periods of of rain and drizzle which could be heavy at times in the northwest and west with temperatures likely to be in the region of 12° to 16°.

Tomorrow will start off cloudy with rain and drizzle in some counties. But the national meteorological service has forecast that it will become "mainly dry across Ulster and Connacht by the afternoon with any patchy light rain and drizzle becoming mostly confined to south Munster and south Leinster later".

There may also be some bright or sunny spells at times with highest temperatures likely to be between 15° to 22°.

By nightfall it is likely to be cloudy but the weather will remain largely dry with only some light rain or drizzle, mainly in southern parts.

Met Éireann expects that Wednesday "will bring a good lot of dry weather for the morning and afternoon, with just a few scattered showers".

"A spell of rain will spread from the west during the evening, becoming heavy at times with the chance of thunder," it added.

Highest temperatures during the day are likely to sit at around 17° to 22°.

As the day draws to a close rain will clear although Wednesday night is forecast to cooler than before with temperatures expected to fall to 9° to 13°.

The day will start off breezy with some spells of sunshine in the morning and potentially some showers.

However it is expected to become cloudier through the afternoon and showers are likely especially in the west and north.

Met Éireann expects that a "spell of more persistent rain is likely to spread eastwards later on".

Temperatures could be between 15° and 19° with fresh and gusty southwesterly winds, strong at times in western and southern coastal parts.

Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, according to the national meteorological service, but this will develop into outbreaks of rain and drizzle at times, possibly heavy at times in the north and northwest. However it is expected to be mild and humid. 

According to Met Éireann, Friday will bring another breezy day with a good deal of cloud and further outbreaks of rain and drizzle, along with some hill and coastal mist and fog.

"It'll be drier further to the east and south, where there'll be some bright or sunny spells," the national meteorological service has stated.

It is expected to be mild or warm and humid with highest temperatures reaching of 17° and 23°and will be warmest in the east.

Looking ahead Met Éireann has forecast that the weather will continue to "remain changeable" next weekend, with some rain at times.

However it is also expecting "some decent drier sunnier" periods too and overall will remain relatively mild.