Weather may dampen start of 104th Tour de France on Sunday

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather meteorologist

By Adam Douty, AccuWeather meteorologist

July 1,2017, 10:49:56AM,EDT

 

 

The 104th edition of the Tour de France began on Saturday, and the weather is expected to have an impact on both riders and spectators.
After a time trial stage on Saturday, the second stage of the race will take place on Sunday from Düsseldorf, Germany to Liège, Belgium.

The high temperature along the route will be 19-21 C (66-70 F), slightly below the seasonal average of 23 C (73 F).
A northwesterly wind, while not as strong as on Saturday, will average 12-25 km/h (8-16 mph). Gusts could be as high as 40 km/h (25 mph) during the afternoon.

2016 Tour de France winner Chris Froome of Britain celebrates on the podium after the twenty-first and last stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Paris, France, Sunday, July 24,2016. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

A few showers are expected to cross the stage through the course of the day, though any shower should remain brief and be relatively light. The chance for rain on Sunday will be less than it was on Saturday.
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Improving weather is expected early this coming week as the tour shifts southward through Luxembourg into northeast France.
A building ridge of high pressure will lead to several dry days and warmer air.