Issued: 0530hrs Thursday 12th February 2009
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling
Cold weather continues for much of northern and eastern Europe, although fair in the southwest
Thursday
Cloud and showery rain over the northeast of Spain and through the Balearics, this affecting southwestern France too. For the rest of Spain and the whole of Portugal the day should be dry with sunny spells. More sunshine for the rest of France, but cold here. A few snow showers affecting northern coasts of Germany and the Low Countries with the risk of more persistent snow through Poland. Through Austria and Hungary as well as Switzerland there will be cloud and a few showers, these falling as snow.
Mainly fair over the far north of Italy with some sunny spells. For central and southern areas of Italy there will be showers forming and these could be heavy at times. Low pressure brings an unsettled day through Greece and Turkey, heavy showers here, although more persistent rain and sleet as well as snow over Turkey. Cloud and snow too through Bulgaria and Romania.
Sunny spells and a few snow showers in the Baltic States while Finland is going to be dry and sunny with a widespread frost. Mainly fair across Sweden and cold here too, although cloud and snow showers in the southeast. Cold with a scattering of snow showers in Denmark and western Norway, but much of eastern Norway should be dry.
Friday
High pressure brings fair weather through most of Portugal and Spain. Lots of sunshine here and it should be dry too. Cold through southern France, dry conditions as well. Cloud and some showers over the north of France, with a few snow showers through the Low Countries and Germany too. Snow showers also blowing into Poland and some of these making it into Austria, Hungary and Switzerland.
Italy is going to have sunny spells and showers, a few of the showers heavy at times. These showers also affecting Greece where they could be heavy in places. More heavy showers will be through Turkey, with some sunny spells in the mix as well. Wintry showers through Bulgaria and Romania, some of them heavy.
Cold with snow showers in the baltic States while Finland will be dry and chilly. A few showers in eastern Sweden, but western areas will be dry and brighter. Cold for most of Denmark and southern Norway with bright conditions here, while northern Norway will have snow showers.