Issued: 0530hrs Saturday 19th April 2008
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling
Spring is delayed in the west, but is well underway to the east
Saturday
It's another unsettled day across most of Portugal and Spain. Strong winds and rain will be pushing eastwards and northwards through Iberia. This rain also affecting the south of France. For central France the day will be drier and brighter, but more cloud and rain are likely to be affecting northern areas throughout. There will be some showery rain through the Low Countries and southern Germany and Poland too, whilst the north of these countries stay dry.
Some more cloud and rain through Austria and Hungary, but brighter skies over Switzerland. Showers and cloud across Italy, most of this light, and dry for much of Greece and Turkey with some good spells of sunshine. It should be mainly dry through Bulgaria and Romania too.
In the baltic States some snow showers are likely in the north later, but the south should be dry. Overall a dry, cold and bright day to come in Finland, and it should be generally dry, apart from snow showers in the east of Sweden. Norway is likely to be dry too with some sunshine to come here.
Sunday
For Sunday low pressure is in the Bay of Biscay. This will be pushing fronts eastwards, bringing showery periods of rain to many areas of Spain and Portugal. More rain too for France, the heaviest of it to the north. This cloud and outbreaks of rain affects the Low Countries and well as western parts of Germany. For northern Germany and Poland the day is going to be dry with some sunny spells here.
Austria and Hungary will be dry with some spells of sunshine to come, and it should be dry too across Switzerland. Fair for Italy with some sunshine here throughout the day, and dry conditions to boot. Dry and sunny for Greece and Turkey, and feeling warm. Some rain moves into Romania through the day, but Bulgaria stays generally dry.
Over the Baltic States the day should be dry but breezy. Thicker cloud affects Finland bringing a little light snow. For most of Sweden, Denmark and Norway the day is going to be a dry one with some sunny spells throughout.