It's not looking good for the weekend, as Ireland is in for washout with 'heavy rain', thunderstorms and strong winds forecast.

Met Eireann has forecast a day of widespread showers on Saturday with hail and with isolated thunderstorms possible before more heavy showers on Sunday.

Friday will also see rain spread across the country from midday and heavy rain in all areas overnight.

READ MORE: Ireland snow forecast: Expert sets record straight as Met Eireann issues surprise weather update

One weather expert warned that some areas could see up to 20mm of rain on Friday night, especially in the south.

Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather account on X (formely Twitter) wrote: "Heavy rain moving up from the Southwest [Friday] afternoon and a very wet night ahead Friday night. Over 10mm for most areas and over 20mm for some.

"A very windy weekend ahead, in case you had some mad idea to put up the Christmas lights in November."

Here is Met Eireann's forecast for the next few days:

Friday 17th November

This morning will be largely dry across Munster. Some bright intervals at first, but it will become increasingly cloudy. Rain will develop in the southwest by midday and spread northeastwards to all areas this afternoon and will continue this evening. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees with light south to southeast winds strengthening.

Rain in all areas early tonight. It will clear eastwards later in the night with scattered showers following into western counties. Fresh to strong south to southeast winds will becoming south to southwesterly and ease as rain clears. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 8 degrees.

Saturday 18th November

Saturday will be breezy with bright or sunny spells and widespread showers, some heavy or prolonged with hail and with isolated thunderstorms possible. Highest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees with fresh, gusty southwest winds.

On Saturday night showers will continue with longer spells of rain in places. Lowest temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees in fresh, gusty southwest winds, very strong near south and west coasts.

Sunday 19th November

Sunday will be breezy with sunshine and further heavy showers. Moderate to fresh southwesterly winds at first, veering westerly through the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 10 to 12 degrees generally. On Sunday night, there will be further showers or longer spells of rain. Lowest temperatures of 5 to 8 degrees.

Monday 20th November

Monday will be cool and breezy with sunshine and showers. Highest temperatures of 9 to 11 degrees with fresh, gusty northwest winds, strong on Ulster and north Connacht coasts.

Tuesday 21st November

Tuesday will be cold and mainly dry with sunshine and light to moderate northerly winds. Rain and drizzle will move in from the west in the evening. Highest temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees.

Further outlook

Wednesday and Thursday will be mostly cloudy with a fair amount of dry weather and some rain or drizzle at times. Highest temperatures of 11 or 12 degrees with moderate to fresh westerly winds.

Current indications suggest that there will be rain on Friday with showers following later.