The weather forecast indicates mixed conditions at first this week with showers or longer spells of rain, before settled conditions return later in the week and for next weekend.

According to Met Éireann, there will be spells of sunshine over the western half of the country today, Monday May 12, with cloudier conditions further east, along with scattered patches of rain and drizzle.

Highest temperatures today will range from 15° to 19°C in moderate northerly winds, fresher on Atlantic coasts.

Tonight will see variable cloud with some showers, possibly turning heavy. Temperatures will not fall below 8° to 11° with light to moderate northerly winds veering easterly.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, will bring sunny spells and showers, some heavy or thundery downpours are possible in the afternoon and evening. However, northern parts will likely hold dry.

Highest temperatures of 18° to 23° are expected generally, warmest in the west, in a moderate easterly breeze.

Tuesday night will see conditions becoming dry overnight with clear spells and temperatures not falling below 8° to 11°, with light easterly breezes.

On Wednesday, there will be sunshine to begin, with showers developing in the west and south-west later on. Highest temperatures will range from 16° to 22°, coolest near the east coast in a moderate easterly breeze.

Thursday will likely be a dry day with long spells of sunshine, according to Met Éireann. Highest temperatures will range from 16° to 23°, warmest in the west and south-west with light easterly breezes.

Dry with long spells of sunshine are forecast for Friday with highest temperatures of 16° to 21° in a moderate easterly breeze.

High pressure will likely become dominant through the weekend, bringing mainly fine and settled conditions. Daytime highs are likely to be in the high teens or low 20s, in mostly light to moderate easterly breezes.

Drying conditions will be moderate or poor today, Monday, and in any showers in the south and west on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will increase generally good thereafter.

Outbreaks of rain on Monday will limit spraying opportunities in many areas. There will be good opportunities again from Tuesday onwards, though potentially heavy showers in the south and west on Tuesday and Wednesday may hinder spraying.

All soils are currently trafficable and there is some restriction to growth with soil moisture deficits (SMDs) of between 28mm and 38mm.

Despite some rain and showers at first in the coming seven days, overall there will be a good deal of dry weather. Combined with good drying, this will lead to an increase in SMDs in the coming week.

SMDs will generally increase to between 40mm and 50mm with continued restriction to growth in some areas.

A condition orange high fire risk issued by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine remains in place until 12:00p.m today (Monday, May 12).

Arising from current weather patterns a high fire risk is deemed to exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as heather and gorse exist.