The weekend weather forecast indicates a mild and unsettled few days ahead with rain and showers.

It comes as Met Éireann issued a Status Orange weather warning for heavy rain in two south-western counties this weekend.

The national forecaster has warned of very heavy and persistent rain in Cork and Kerry from midnight on Saturday (October 5) until 11:00p.m on Sunday (October 6).

Met Éireann warned that there is a risk of river and coastal flooding, dangerous travelling conditions and travel disruption for the duration of the warning.

Meanwhile, a Status Yellow rain warning was issued for several counties, including Clare; Limerick; Waterford; Galway and Mayo for this weekend.

This warning will also come into force from midnight on Saturday and remain in place for 24 hours.

Back to today (Friday, October 4), it will be mostly cloudy and damp with scattered outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Highest temperatures of 14° to 17° with moderate to fresh south to south-east winds.

Tonight, rain will become persistent in the west. It will spread eastwards over Munster and Connacht turning heavy at times with flooding likely, especially in the south-west.

It will be drier in Leinster and Ulster with some patchy rain with lowest temperatures of 11° to 14° with moderate to fresh south to south-east winds.

Saturday will be cloudy and wet with spells of rain extending to all areas. The rain be heavy at times with flooding likely, especially in Munster and Connacht.

Highest temperatures of 13° to 15° with fresh south to south-east winds.

Saturday night will continue wet with further spells of rain and some further flooding. The rain will become lighter and drier in the west and south-west overnight with lowest temperatures of 9° to 12° with southerly winds easing.

On Sunday, rain will gradually clear to the north-east. Sunny spells and showers will follow, some heavy, especially in Munster.

Highest temperatures on Sunday will range from 15° to 17° with light to moderate southerly winds, fresher for the west and south-west.

There will be further showers on Sunday night, heaviest in the south with lowest temperatures of 7° to 11° with light to moderate south-east breezes.

Monday will bring sunny spells and showers, heaviest and most frequent in Munster and south Leinster with localised flooding possible. Highest temperatures will range from 14° to 17° in moderate south-easterly winds, fresher near coasts.On Tuesday, there will be further showers, some heavy with a chance of isolated thunderstorms and highest temperatures of 14° to 16° with light to moderate mainly easterly breezes.Looking further ahead into next week, overall it is likely to continue unsettled with rain, showers and possibly strong winds at times.

Currently, soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are between 5mm and 25mm for most areas. Soils in the north-west, north midlands and near the south coast are closer to saturation.

Frequent rain and showers are expected over the weekend and next week; SMDs are expected to decrease nationwide.

Most soils will be saturated while many poorly and moderately drain soils in the south, west and north midlands will be waterlogged.