Blustery Weekend Ahead as Atlantic Systems Target Cork

• Mild Thursday gives way to unsettled conditions with very windy Saturday evening forecast for Munster

Cork residents can expect a typically Irish end to May as changeable Atlantic weather patterns bring mixed conditions to Munster over the coming days, with meteorologists forecasting particularly gusty conditions developing Saturday evening.

Today's mild and breezy conditions across Cork and Munster will see temperatures reaching a comfortable 15 to 18 degrees, though the day will remain mostly cloudy with persistent outbreaks of rain and drizzle. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds will add a gusty element to the conditions, making it wise to secure any loose outdoor items.

Tonight will continue the cloudy theme with further rain and drizzle expected to gradually clear towards the southeast by morning. The clearance will bring some welcome clear intervals, though mist patches may develop as winds ease. Temperatures will remain mild, dropping only to 10 to 13 degrees overnight.

Friday morning promises a more pleasant start with mainly dry conditions and sunny breaks breaking through the cloud cover. However, the afternoon will see scattered showers developing across the region, with temperatures climbing to a more agreeable 17 to 19 degrees under lighter westerly breezes.

The weekend outlook presents more challenging conditions for outdoor activities. Saturday will begin dry but rain will sweep eastwards through the morning and early afternoon before clearing to sunshine and showers. The main concern develops Saturday evening when very windy conditions are forecast near Atlantic coasts, with strong to gale force southwesterly winds expected to continue into Saturday night alongside further heavy showers.

Sunday will maintain the blustery theme with a mix of sunshine and showers under moderate to fresh westerly winds, though temperatures will drop to a cooler 13 to 17 degrees.

For those with hay fever, pollen levels are forecast to remain moderate, whilst the Solar UV Index will be high in any sunshine but otherwise moderate during cloudier periods.

Bank Holiday Monday initially looks more settled with mainly dry conditions and sunny spells, though rain is expected to develop in the west by evening and spread eastwards overnight. Early indications suggest Tuesday will be particularly wet, with changeable and unsettled conditions likely to persist throughout next week.

Cork residents planning outdoor activities should keep a close eye on conditions, particularly for Saturday evening when the strongest winds are forecast.