First glimpse at Met Éireann's National Ploughing weather and it's not good news

Met Éireann has given its first official take on the weather for the early part of the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois next week.

After a deluge of rain this week with multiple weather warnings and spot flooding in places, vendors and attendees making the annual Ploughing pilgrimage would have been hoping for an upturn in fortunes.

TAP ON THE LINK TO SEE THE LATEST WEATHER FORECAST

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

The Ploughing once again returns to the Laois venue with around 100,000 people a day expected to travel from all over the country to attend the iconic event. It takes place from Tuesday, September 19 to Thursday, September 21.

Met Éireann first official forecast for next Tuesday does not make good reading as they predict that "another spell of rain will spread from the Atlantic on Tuesday with a freshening southwest wind." They say temperatures will be around 16 to 18 degrees.

Looking beyond that, they ominously warned that things look like "remaining unsettled with low pressure dominating for the extended outlook period."

Between now and next Tuesday, the country will endure rain, rain and more rain, according to forecasters. The only reprieve may be on Saturday when models suggest it "will be dry for many with the best of the sunshine in the northwest."

"However, it will be duller in the east and southeast with a little lingering light rain. Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees, with freshening northeasterly breezes," Met Éireann said in its prediction for Saturday.

Sunday and Monday are dominated by rain with the wet conditions becoming "widespread through Sunday morning, heaviest and most persistent over the eastern half of the country with localised flooding possible.

"Highest temperatures of 15 to 17 degrees in light to moderate easterly breezes becoming light northwest later.

"Rain will clear most places on Sunday night, lingering along the eastern coastal counties until morning. Lowest temperatures 10 or 11 degrees with mainly light westerly breezes.

"Rain will slowly shift from eastern coasts on Monday with showers developing during the afternoon. Highest temperatures 14 to 16 degrees with moderate westerly breezes."

So, if you're heading to the Ploughing next week, stock up on the umbrellas and rain jackets.