Peter Loeskow ()
writes:

Normally at this time of year, a large stable high pressure system is established over Russia. Not now


This is a great forecast chart animation provided by the USAF in Europe:
http://131.54.120.150/asp/syn00120_looperb.asp?name=synoptic&loc=GifImages


The recently formed high over the North Sea has at least stopped the almost incessant rains that we've had for two months. The main road between Gothenburg (which also is the artery for road traffic from Copenhagen) and Oslo has been severed by an earth slide after the rains subsided and won't be repaired until summer!