The met office has issued a yellow alert for Tuesday afternoon and evening warning of heavy rain and very strong winds.

Temperatures are set to fall by several degrees on Wednesday and Thursday with light snowfall or sleet expected on higher ground and mountainous areas.

While skies will be partly cloudy on Thursday and Friday, the rainy weather is expected to return on the weekend.

While local showers are forecast for Saturday, Sunday will be generally rainy.

Temperatures are expected to be between 12 degrees inland and 15 on the coasts falling to 8 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.