Persistent wet weather to dampen outdoor plans from Portugal to France

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

April 09, 2018, 10:24:12 AM EDT

While much of Europe can expect unseasonable warmth this week, France and the Iberian Peninsula will face days of unsettled weather and cool air.

A series of storms will target Portugal, Spain and France with daily rain, gusty winds and unseasonably low temperatures.

"Rounds of rain and some thunderstorms will occur, which may lead to some flooding concerns,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Rob Richards said.

Richards anticipates any flooding problems to be isolated in nature. Travelers may also encounter minor delays at times.

The wet weather is expected to have a greater impact on outdoor activities.

Residents should prepare for such plans to be delayed or postponed on a nearly daily basis. This includes in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain; Porto and Lisbon, Portugal; and Paris, Nantes and Montpellier, France. The unsettled weather will also frequently stream up into the United Kingdom.

The risk of lightning may also force anyone outdoors to briefly seek shelter. As soon as thunder is heard, the danger of being struck by lightning is present.

The heaviest rainfall is expected to be across Portugal and Spain on Tuesday, before shifting into southern France on Wednesday.

The next storm will bring another round of soaking rainfall to Portugal and Spain on Thursday while rain lingers across southern France.

Additional rainfall is expected across the Iberian Peninsula and southern France on Friday; however, the threat for heavy rain will diminish.

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This series of storm systems is not expected to unleash widespread damaging winds. However, gusty winds will get kicked up at times.

Each storm will be accompanied by fresh chilly air, with the greatest temperature departures expected to focus on the Iberian Peninsula.

Temperatures will be held about 5 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit) below the normal high of 17-18 C (63-64 F) on most days this week from Portugal to southern France. When winds are blowing, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be even lower.

Enough cold air will also be in place for snow to fall in the mountains with each passing storm.

Much to the dismay of those with outdoor plans, an end to the unsettled weather is not expected to come before this weekend.