Ireland's 'heatwave' is well and truly over as the rain returned earlier today. Unfortunately, it looks set to get worse as heavy downpours are expected this evening and tonight. The Road Safety Authority has urged motorists to take extra precautions ahead of the dismal weather that is expected later today. "During a prolonged dry spell a build-up of oil and rubber deposit develops on the road.When the weather breaks, this deposit mixes with rainwater and the road becomes hazardous. "The resulting greasy road surface increases stopping distances and the risk of a skid. Drivers and motorcycle riders can get caught out by this change in road conditions so the advice is to slow down and increase braking distance" said the RSA. Met Éireann, the national forecaster, predict widespread showers this evening and tonight, particularly in the southwest of the country. Tomorrow will bring much of the same with persistent heavy rain expected for Munster, Leinster and Connacht and again tomorrow night as "rain over the southern half of the country will spread northwards to most areas". Friday will be mostly cloudy with rain or showers expected everywhere but the far north. However, the forecast for the weekend is not quite as bad (fingers crossed) with dry, bright and sunny spells predicted. As always, there is the risk of scattered showers. Temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees are expected over the weekend.