France, Germany prepare for rain and cooler air while snow looms for Alps to start February

The same storm that will bring a noticeable cooldown to the British Isles early next week will spread wet weather across much of western and central Europe as well.

The storm will run into the warm and recently dry mainland of the continent, spreading rain into northern France and northwestern Germany by Monday afternoon.

Through Monday night, rain will shift southward along with the storm, allowing for precipitation to reach the Alps before daybreak on Tuesday morning. Precipitation will continue to push through central Europe and toward the Balkans on Tuesday.

"Because of how warm it will be across much of France and Germany ahead of the storm, it will be rather difficult for it to snow in most places," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty.

Snow will have the best chance to accumulate in the higher elevations of the Alps across southeastern France, Switzerland, northern Italy and Austria. On Tuesday, as the storm pulls away and precipitation lightens across parts of eastern France and southern Germany, rain showers could mix with a few wet snowflakes, depending on how quickly the cooler air moves in.

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Rain will be generally light, with rainfall amounts below 12 mm (0.5 of an inch) from Monday through Tuesday.

A swath of heavier rain may will be possible from eastern France and northern Switzerland through Germany and into western Czechia and northeastern Austria. In these areas, rainfall amounts of 20-40 mm (0.75-1.5 inches) will be more likely.

Meanwhile, as much as 12-30 cm (5-12 inches) of snow will fall across the Alps. Dozens of centimeters of snow are anticipated to pile up across the highest peaks of the range.

Several cities in this region, like Zurich, Munich and Prague, have had a drier start to 2020, all recording less than 40 percent of their normal rainfall for the month of January. These locations will certainly appreciate the rain.

However, any downpours could lead to localized flooding problems, especially on the drier soil.

The light of the low sun shines on the hoar-frost-covered foothills of the Alps near Bernbeuren, Germany, Monday, Dec. 30, 2019. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa via AP)

Even without widespread snow or flooding problems, gusty winds can be anticipated across France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany, first from the southwest Monday and then from the northwest Monday night and Tuesday. Periodic wind gusts of 45-70 km/h (30-45 mph) will be possible across the area.

The brisk, northwesterly wind will also usher in cooler air behind the storm and put an end to the March-like temperatures that ended the month of January in cities like Paris, Berlin and Munich. All three cities look to finish the month about 3 C (5 F) degrees above normal.

The cool air rushing in behind the storm will only bring temperatures closer to normal for early February. After peak highs around 13-15 C (55-60 F) on Saturday and Sunday, air temperatures will be around 2-5 C (35-41 F) on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The cold air may wrap up more quickly behind the storm as it reaches southeastern Europe Tuesday night and Wednesday.

"There is the potential for accumulating snow from parts of Romania to Dinaric Alps of Albania and Croatia," added Douty.

Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for the latest updates on this storm and your forecast.