Looks like weather will remain iffy for the festival in ballina

BALLINA Salmon Festival got off to a fine start with Heritage Day on what was a pleasant afternoon in north Mayo. But what can one expect for the weekend in terms of weather?

It's a mixed bag. According to Met Éireann, tomorrow (Friday, July 10) will be mostly cloudy with rain becoming persistent along the west coast during the morning and heavy bursts possible. Temperatures are forecast to hit the mid to high teens in a moderate southerly breeze.

It'll be mostly dry on Friday night – International Night in Ballina – with clear spells developing, but it may remain breezy along Atlantic coasts, with scattered showers possible and potentially spreading inland.

A bright start to Saturday will be followed by showers, with more persistent rain spreading from the Atlantic later in the afternoon and evening, when Rock the Square with Key West will be followed by the Mardi Gras. Again, temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high teens in moderate to fresh south to southwest winds.

Sunday will see the festival wind down with the Teddy Bears' Picnic but in terms of weather it may well be the best day of all, staying cool but mainly dry and with sunny spells possible. After that it looks like it's a return to the rain, with freshening southerly winds.

Check out the forecast from Norwegian website www.yr.no in the accompanying graphic for another take on the weather over the next few days of Ballina Salmon Festival.