'Ponchos and wellies' for Electric Picnic says Met Éireann Laois forecast for Stradbally

Wet weather clothing will come in handy at Electric Picnic in Laois, according to a special festival weather forecast from Met Éireann as the big event dawns in Stradbally.

As thousands descend on Laois, Met Éireann Meteorologist Ailís Hankinson had some valuable weather advice for picnicers planning to party in Stradbally from August 29 to 31.

"For those heading along to the Electric Picnic in Stradbally this weekend, the ponchos and wellies could certainly come in handy as you can expect some rain and gusty showers for much of the country over the next few days," she said.

In her forecast posted on X on Thursday, she forecasted there should be just a few showers on Friday by the time the first act takes to the Main Stage at 6pm in Stradbally.

She said Saturday morning would "wet and windy" but there would be a clearance in the afternoon, albeit staying windy. Sunday features more scattered showers mixed with sunny spells. FULL WEEKEND FORECAST BELOW MET Éireann VIDEO.

If you're one of the thousands heading along to @electricpicnic in #Stradbally this weekend, make sure to check out the latest forecast from #Meteorologist Ailís Hankinson. #ElectricPicnic #EP2025 #EPFestival pic.twitter.com/ASmC4jI8WS

— Met Éireann (@MetEireann) August 28, 2025

National Forecast from Met Éireann

FRIDAY: A mix of scattered showers and sunny spells tomorrow. The showers will be most frequent in the northwest and west but will become more isolated through the day. The best of the sunny spells will be in the east and southeast. Highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees in light to moderate westerly winds.

Friday night will be clear and dry for most with just isolated showers. Rain will move into southern and western counties overnight. Lowest temperatures of 10 to 13 degrees in moderate southerly breezes.

Saturday: A rather wet and windy start to Saturday as that band of rain continues to spread across the country. Heavy downpours are most likely in the south, west, and northwest with the possibility of spot flooding. Throughout the afternoon, scattered showers will develop as that rain clears with brighter spells developing by the evening. Highest temperatures of 15 to 19 degrees in moderate to fresh southerly winds, gusty at times on Atlantic coasts.

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Sunday: Sunny spells and scattered showers will move across the country throughout the day, turning heavy at times over parts of Ulster and Connacht. Highest temperatures of 15 to 18 degrees in moderate to fresh southwesterly winds, gusty at times near coasts. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Further outlook: While there is uncertainty in the exact detail, early next week is looking to remain unsettled with further spells of rain and showers. Monday and Tuesday will both see a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers, the most frequent and heaviest of those showers staying to west Atlantic coasts. Daytime temperatures will be similar to late ranging in the mid to high teens.