Issued: 0530hrs Sunday 2nd January 2011
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Colder air spreading south, dry through central Europe

Sunday
A fine day over Spain and Portugal with plenty of sunshine to come. There could be a few showers in the Balearics, but for most it will be dry. Showers affecting central parts of France, but the north of the country will be dry with sunny spells. A cold day over the Low Countries and Germany, just a few snow showers affecting more northern areas. More persistent snow showers for Poland. Cloudy with some snow through Austria, Hungary and Switzerland.
Low pressure across Italy bringing showers here, some of them heavy and thundery at times. Greece will have further heavy showers or longer periods of rain at times. Showers in western parts of Turkey, but for most central and eastern areas the day is dry and warm. Scattered showers for Bulgaria and Romania, but dry for most.
A cold day to come through the Baltic States and Finland. This brings snow showers through many areas, with the snow showers also affecting Sweden. For Denmark and Norway there will be further snow showers, some of them heavy on the coasts.

Monday
Cloud and rain or drizzle affecting the west of Portugal. For Spain the day is going to be fine with good spells of sunshine and it will be warm as well. Dry across France with lots of sunshine, but mist and fog patches over northern France. Sunny spells and dry for the Low Countries and Germany as well as Poland. More sunny spells over Hungary, Austria and Switzerland.
Fair for northern Italy with sunny spells, although cloud and showers affecting central Italy, whilst the south with be fair but dry. An unsettled day over Greece with cloud and rain. The rain extending through Turkey, some of it heavy. More rain across Bulgaria and Romania, this turning to sleet.
Fair over the Baltic States and Finland, but chilly. Fair too for Sweden with sunny spells and it will be dry as well. More sunny spells across Denmark. Cloud increasing over western Norway with cloud and rain, turning to snow.