Europe enters the second half of the week with a pronounced west-to-east contrast. France remains unusually warm and dry, Germany is clearing after a wetter and windier Thursday, and high pressure strengthens again across Switzerland and Austria on Friday. Italy stays mostly mild to warm, with more local instability toward the south and the Ionian side.
Thursday afternoon and evening
Northern Germany remains cloudy, wet and windy in places, while western and southwestern Germany are milder and brighter. France is largely sunny, with temperatures above 25°C across many regions and around 30°C in parts of the southwest. Switzerland sees more cloud across the north and east, while western and southern regions are brighter. Austria still has local showers in the Alps, and Italy remains mainly stable in the centre and north.
Overnight
Skies clear across large parts of central Europe. Temperatures drop into single figures in many inland areas of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with local fog possible in valleys and lowlands. Coastal and Mediterranean regions remain considerably milder.
Friday
Friday is the more settled day across a broad belt from France through Switzerland and Austria into parts of Germany. Sunshine becomes widespread and winds ease. Daytime highs reach around 22-25°C in Switzerland, up to 24-25°C in southwestern Germany, around 18-24°C in many Austrian valleys, and the upper 20s in parts of France and Italy.
The main exceptions remain parts of southern Italy and the Ionian region, where local rain is still possible, and the far north of Europe where Atlantic low-pressure systems continue to bring stronger winds and rain. Travellers crossing the Alps should expect a cool start on Friday morning but generally improving visibility and calmer conditions during the day.