Issued: 0530hrs Friday 25th August 2017
Duty forecaster: Garry Nicholson

A few thunderstorms central Europe

Friday
A lot of dry weather for Europe as slack high pressure resides across the continent. A weak frontal zone stretches across central countries, producing partly cloudy skies, and a risk of local showers for France and the Alps, perhaps some thunderstorms into the evening, these also breaking out in southern Germany. Hot and dry for much of southern Europe, 33 to 38C for Spain and Portugal, highest temperatures in the south. Reaching the mid-30s too for Italy, the Balkans and Hungary. Breezy for the Greek Islands.
Across northern-central Europe, temperatures will reach 22 to 25C for northern Germany and the Low Countries, locally warmer. Dry for much of Poland, but a few showers for the Baltic states and southern Sweden. Fair weather for Denmark and much of Norway. The far north of Scandinavia will be cold and showery, with daytime temperatures below 10C, and showers falling as snow on the mountains.

Saturday
A hot day across central and southern Europe, with temperatures widely into the 30s Celsius. Highest temperatures for south-west Spain and Portugal, plus Italy, the Balkans and Hungary, all reaching 35C or above. Isolated thundery showers for northern Spain, and a few thunderstorms breaking out for the Alps and Germany. Many regions of Europe will be dry, with extensive sunshine, particularly around the Mediterranean. Into the evening and night, thunderstorms are likely to develop across the Pyrenees into south-west France. High pressure extends across Scandinavia, bringing a fair day, although some rain reaches south-west Norway later. A chilly northerly breeze for Finland brings a few showers.