Issued: 0530hrs Thursday 3rd February 2011
Duty forecaster: Simon Keeling

An improving situation in the western Mediterranean, but rain to the north

Thursday
Cloud and showery rain affecting the far northwest of Spain today. For most of the country the day is going to be dry and sunny. A fair day with good spells of sunshine for southern France, although some cloud and rain in central areas. The north of France turning brighter as well with more sunny spells here. Dry with sunshine across the Low Countries, and a fair day through most of Germany, although some cloud and rain in the south. More cloud and some rain in southern Poland, although fair in the north.
Low pressure brings unsettled weather across Greece with cloud and rain here, some of it heavy. Fair for most of Turkey with sunny spells. Bulgaria and Romania should be dry with sunny spells.
Cloud, sleet and snow sweep into the Baltic States and Finland, some of it heavy at times. A windy day across the southern half of Norway with snow showers here. Breezy with some wintry showers in Denmark, whilst most of Norway should be dry with sunny spells.

Friday
A fair day across Spain and Portugal with lots of sunshine. This sunshine extends into France, although the far north of the country may be breezy. Cloudier skies for the Low Countries and breezy here with some drizzle on the coasts. Cloudier skies too for northern Germany and Poland with some heavy bursts of rain in the north. Hungary, Austria and Switzerland and likely to be dry with sunny spells.
A fair day across Italy with more sunshine here. Greece has showers in the east, although western areas will be dry and bright with some sunny spells. Cloud and periods of rain affecting much of southern Turkey, some of these heavy at times. Northern parts of Turkey should be fair. Bulgaria will have some sunshine and dry conditions, although showers will affect Romania.
Windy with sleet and snow spreading from the west later in the day through the Baltic States and Finland. More snow for northern parts of Sweden, breezy in the south with some sunshine. Cloud in southern Denmark but brighter to the north. Showers affecting much of Norway.