Issued: 0530hrs Wednesday 19th January 2011
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

Colder air trying to spread southwards as conditions become more unsettled in Italy and central Europe

Wednesday
Fair with dry weather and sunny spells over much of Spain and Portugal, although the far north will have cloud and periods of rain. Some showers or outbreaks of rain over southern France, but fair through central areas. Some cloud and outbreaks of rain in the far northeast of France, this rain affecting the Low Countries too, turning to sleet and snow. Some snow showers across northern Germany and Poland, where snow may be more persistent in the south. Cloud and some snow showers across Austria and Hungary as well as Switzerland.
Italy should have a largely fine day with lots of sunshine to come here, although there could be some rain across the northwest. Greece will have good spells of sunshine, although some showers forming on high ground. There will be sunshine through Turkey too as well as Cyprus. Bulgaria and Romania look fine and dry with more spells of sunshine to come here.
To the north the Baltic States will be seeing wintry showers. Snow for Finland, some of it heavy. Sweden will have sunny spells and some snow showers, with further snow showers in the west of Denmark. Norway should be dry with plenty of sunshine, although snow affecting northwestern coasts.

Thursday
More sunshine across much of Spain and Portugal. A few showers in the east and some of these affecting the Balearics too. France is largely dry, but the south will be cold and windy. More sunshine and cold conditions to come over the Low Countries and Germany, with the cold weather and sunny spells extending into Poland too. An increased risk of some snow showers for Austria, Hungary and Switzerland.
An unsettled day for Italy with low pressure over central parts of the country. This brings strong winds and heavy periods of rain, with a risk of snow in the north. Greece should have a dry day with lots of sunshine. More sunshine to come across Crete and Cyprus as well as Turkey. Generally dry with some sunshine for Bulgaria and Romania.
The Baltic States has low pressure bringing wintry showers, some of them heavy. More cloud and snow over Finland. A few snow showers in eastern Sweden. An odd snow shower over Finland, but Denmark should be dry with sunny spells. Cloud affecting western coasts of Norway, although most of the country should be dry.