Issued: 0530hrs Monday 2nd August 2010
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Rain over northern Europe, hot and sunny to the south

Monday
A fine day over Spain and Portugal with plenty of sunshine throughout. This fine sunshine spreads throughout the Mediterranean with hot temperatures through Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Crete. There could be a few showers developing over the mountains on Turkey, these possibly turning heavy and thundery.
The central section of Europe sees more cloud and some showers or rain. France may well have some showers triggered through the day as cooler air moves in from the north. Most of these are likely in central and northern parts of the country. Again showers could affect the Low Countries and these may be heavy. The heavy showers drifting into northern Germany too, although most of the country should be staying fine and dry with sunny spells. An area of showery rain slips eastwards through Poland, becoming heavy at times. Heavier, thundery showers for Hungary, with scattered showers in Austria and Switzerland.
For northern Europe low pressure brings showers to Scandinavia. having said that most of the Baltic States and Finland should be dry with sunny spells. Thicker cloud and rain affecting most of Sweden through the day, with showers periods of rain moving into Norway and Denmark.

Tuesday
A hot and sunny day for Spain and Portugal, remaining dry as well. Central and southern France will be dry with more sunshine throughout. More northern areas will be having some cloud and some drizzle here, this drifting into the Low Countries as well. For northern Germany cloud could bring some patchy rain, but central and southern areas should be fine. Staying fair over Poland with plenty of sunshine and very warm here too. Fine weather for Austria, Hungary and Switzerland with more sunshine throughout.
Italy is going to be fair with plenty of sunshine and it should be dry throughout the day. More sunshine to come through Greece, Crete and Cyprus. Most of Turkey will be dry, although some heavy showers could form over the mountains in the afternoon. Some thundery showers for Bulgaria and Romania too.
Further north a front brings some rain to the Baltic States, with heavier rain in Finland. A fair day in Sweden with some sunshine here. Denmark starts fine but increasing cloud bringing some showery rain for the afternoon. Showers affecting western Norway too.