Europe splits in two: warm sunshine in the west, cooler unsettled air over the eastern Alps

Europe heads into Friday, 25 September 2026, with a clear west-to-east contrast. High pressure is strengthening across western and parts of central Europe, while the disturbance that brought showers and stronger winds to Germany and the eastern Alpine region continues to move away.

Western Europe: late-season warmth

France remains the warmest major area in western Europe. Friday afternoon highs are expected to reach 25 to 30°C across large areas and 30 to 33°C in the south-west. Much of the country stays dry and sunny.

Germany and the Alps: chilly morning, calmer day

Germany turns much calmer after Thursday’s wind and rain. Early Friday temperatures fall to just 1 to 6°C in several inland areas, while the coast remains milder. Afternoon highs range from around 15 to 18°C in the north-east to 23 or 24°C in the west and south-west.

Austria also sees improving conditions. Residual showers and high-elevation snow from Thursday fade, with more sunshine returning on Friday.

Italy: mostly dry and warmer than average

High pressure continues to support mainly dry weather across northern and central Italy. Temperatures stay above seasonal averages in many regions. More unsettled conditions remain possible near the Ionian coast and eastern Sicily.

The European pattern

ECMWF guidance shows a strong anticyclonic influence over western and central parts of the continent, with a more cyclonic anomaly extending south from Scandinavia toward the central Mediterranean. This explains the sharp regional contrast between warm, settled western Europe and cooler, more changeable conditions farther east.