High pressure dominates central Europe – heavy showers hit parts of the Mediterranean

A broad area of high pressure keeps much of central Europe settled on Saturday. Germany, Austria, the Low Countries and large parts of central and eastern Europe see long dry periods, with morning fog locally giving way to mild autumn sunshine.

Temperatures across central Europe are generally mild for early October, commonly around 18 to 25°C in the afternoon. Italy is warmer, with many areas reaching 23 to 29°C under mostly sunny skies.

The most unsettled weather is focused farther south and southwest. Southern France faces heavy, locally thundery rain around the Gulf of Lion, with an orange rain-flood warning in Hérault. Iberia also sees developing showers, while parts of Greece and the eastern Mediterranean remain locally unstable.

Across the Alps, conditions are mostly favourable, though Switzerland can see isolated afternoon showers over the Jura and Prealps, and western Austria has a small shower risk near the Arlberg.

Europe at a glance

• Central Europe: mostly dry, mild, often 18-25°C
• Italy: largely sunny, many areas 23-29°C
• Southern France: heavy rain and thunderstorms, Hérault on orange alert
• Alps: generally fair with isolated local showers

For travellers, the main weather disruption risk is therefore concentrated around southern France and parts of the western Mediterranean. Elsewhere, fog during the morning and local mountain showers are the more relevant short-term hazards.