Issued: 0530hrs Wednesday 10th January 2007
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Rain in the north, few showers in southeast Mediterranean

Today
An area of rain, some of it heavy extends through Denmark, southern Norway and southern Sweden, through northern Germany, the Low Countries, northern and western France and then into the far northwest of Spain and northern Portugal (where it will be showery). To the east of this rain band it will be dry with sunny spells; these conditions affecting much of southern France, Italy, Greece, most of Spain and the Balearics, warm here too. A few showers are likely in Crete and southern Greece, although Turkey and Cyprus should be dry and sunny. Further north the UK and Ireland should be dry with sunny spells, and the north of Sweden should stay dry too. Western and northern coasts of Norway will have some snow showers, whilst more persistent snow affecting the far north of Norway and Finland.

Thursday
An area of severe gales extending in a broad swathe through the UK and Ireland, Denmark, Low Countries, northern Germany, the Baltic States and Poland; winds may reach 80mph in the UK. Associated with the rain will be heavy rain. The north of Sweden and Norway should be drier with some sunny spells. High pressure in Iberia, most of Italy, Greece and Turkey will be bringing lots of sunshine and dry conditions here. There is a low risk of a shower again in parts of Greece and northern Italy, but otherwise, dry and warm.