Rain is forecast to sweep across Ireland today with up to 10mm of rainfall possible in one area.

Met Eireann has said the outbreaks of rain will start in the west on Thursday morning, spreading across the country and reaching the northeast in the early afternoon.

However, we will see things clear up in the afternoon as the rain will be followed by sunny spells and showers and it will be a chilly day with temperatures dipping below 10C in most areas.

READ MORE: Flight forced to return to Shannon after incident involving 'unruly passenger' on board

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "More rain moving in from the West [today] and moving across the country with over 10mm possible in Kerry over next 24 hours and over 5mm for most areas."

There will be more rain to come on Friday before a washout weekend with 'widespread heavy or thundery showers' on Saturday and showery rain set for Sunday.

Here is Met Eireann's forecast for the rest of the week:

Thursday, November 16

Mist patches and a few bright spells in the far north at first. Otherwise this morning will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain in the west spreading across the country, reaching the northeast in the early afternoon. The rain will be followed by sunny spells and showers in the afternoon and early evening. Cool with highest temperatures of 6 to 10 degrees in light to moderate southerly winds veering west, fresher at times on Atlantic coasts.

Tonight will bring clear spells and some further scattered showers with possible hail or thunder. It will turn chilly with lowest temperatures of zero to 5 degrees, with frost developing in places, in mostly light southwest or variable winds. Some mist and fog will form too, especially in northern areas.

Friday, November 17

A cold sunny start tomorrow for many, though some mist and fog patches in the north may linger awhile. Cloud will build from the southwest with rain following in the afternoon and evening, tracking northeastwards across the country. Highest temperatures of 6 to 11 degrees in mostly light southerly winds at first, backing southeasterly and strengthening with the rain.

On Friday night, after a wet and blustery start, the rain will clear northeastwards through the night with clear spells and squally showers following from the west as fresh to strong southeast winds veer south to southwest by morning moderating a bit. Lowest temperatures early in the night of 4 to 8 degrees, rising overnight to be in double figures by morning.

Saturday, November 18

A breezy day Saturday with widespread heavy or thundery showers, merging to longer spells of rain at times. Highest afternoon temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees in fresh southwest winds, stronger near coasts.

On Saturday night showers will continue into the night with longer spells of rain in parts too. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees in brisk southwest winds, very strong near some coasts.

Sunday, November 19

Further showers or spells of showery rain are expected on Sunday. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds at first, veering westerly through the afternoon with some brighter spells coming through. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees generally.

Next week: Further rain or showers on Sunday night and Monday and a little cooler by then as the winds turn to the northwest, very strong and gusty in parts and especially near coasts.

Current indications suggest drier conditions for Tuesday and Wednesday as the winds ease.