Wednesday evening shows a sharp contrast across western and central Europe. South-eastern France is dealing with a significant Mediterranean rain event, while Germany is still unusually warm ahead of an approaching Atlantic cold front. Farther east, Austria remains largely under high pressure, and large parts of Italy stay mild and comparatively settled.
During the night into Thursday, the front advances from France and the Benelux region into western Germany. Heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms are possible. The German Weather Service indicates local short-duration rainfall of 15 to 25 mm, with 20 to 40 mm possible over several hours in some areas. Thunderstorms may also produce gusts around 70 km/h.
France remains the main severe-weather focus. Météo-France keeps red rain-flood warnings for Gard and Hérault, with intense rain persisting overnight and into Thursday morning before shifting farther east toward Provence. In contrast, Austria remains mostly sunny with 20 to 25 °C on Thursday, although showers may reach the far west later in the day.
Italy stays on the milder side of the pattern. Rome is forecast near 28 °C on Thursday, while north-western regions see increasing cloud as the disturbance approaches. The Swiss weather also trends more unsettled from the west, with cloud and some rain spreading toward northern and central regions while eastern areas stay drier for longer.
Travellers should pay particular attention to flooding and thunderstorm updates in southern France and to heavy rain along the German front. Official national warning services remain the primary source for local warning levels.