The latest Met Eireann weather forecast for the National Ploughing is not looking great

Met Éireann's latest weather forecast for the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois this week is not looking great. 

After a reasonably mild and relatively dry weekend, the weather is set to get decidedly more wet and windy for the start of the event with more rain forecast through Wedensday and Thursday.

According to Met Eireann, Tuesday will be a windy and damp day with fresh to strong and gusty southwesterly winds. Outbreaks of rain and drizzle will continue through the day, most persistent in the west and north with occasional heavy falls possible. Misty in places too. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees.

A wet and windy night on Tuesday night with more persistent heavy rain spreading from the west. Strong and gusty southwesterly winds will ease slightly towards morning. Lowest temperatures of 11 to 15 degrees.

That rain will clear to the east on Wednesday morning but it will be followed from the west by sunny spells and frequent showers, some of which will turn heavy. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in moderate westerly winds.

Showers will become more confined to Atlantic coastal counties overnight on Wednesday, with largely dry weather and clear spells developing elsewhere. Some mist and fog patches will form also in light southwest winds. Lowest temperatures of 6 to 9 degrees.

Thursday will see a mix of sunny spells and widespread showers, some of which will be heavy and prolonged. Highest temperatures of 13 to 16 degrees in light to moderate northwesterly winds.