Belfast (County Antrim) weather

Headline:

Rather cloudy with morning rain, becoming brighter this afternoon

Today:

A mostly cloudy morning with outbreaks of mainly light rain. Winds turn more northwesterly this afternoon and freshen bringing drier, brighter conditions with sunny spells developing. Maximum temperature 18 °C.

Tonight:

A dry evening with some late sunshine. Mostly dry overnight, just the odd shower possible across the far northwest, with clear spells. Rather chilly in rural parts with winds easing. Minimum temperature 6 °C.

Tuesday:

Dry, bright start with sunny spells, however light showers across the northwest develop more widely through the morning. Cloud and more persistent rain may spread east later in afternoon. Maximum temperature 17 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Remaining rather cool, unsettled and often breezy with showers or some longer spells of rain. Winds strongest on Thursday.

This period is likely to see a continuation of the changeable conditions, with occasional bands of rain moving in from the west or northwest. There will be a good deal of dry, warm, and settled weather in between frontal systems, with the best conditions most likely in the south and east where winds will be lighter. In contrast, further north and west, it will generally be breezier, and any rain that does occur will be heaviest over the hills. Cloud cover will vary, with cloudier weather expected in the north and west, while clearer skies are likely in the south and east. Temperatures will be around or a little below average for the time of year, but on sunnier days with lighter winds, it will still feel warm.

On balance, it may be rather changeable at first, with periods of unsettled and cloudy, wet weather mixed with spells of dry and fine weather. The west is likely to see the wettest conditions, while the east will tend to be drier. By mid month there is a signal for more settled conditions to develop, so more in the way of dry weather, although still with a risk of some rain / showers at times. Temperatures close to average at first, but with a greater chance of warmer than average conditions later in the period.