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By Samantha Kramer, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

July 01, 2012; 2:40 PM

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2008 Tour de France competitor Carlos Sastre of Spain makes his way through the Champs-Elysees in the last stage, past the monumental Arc de Triomphe in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Prologue - Stage 3 (Saturday to Tuesday)

As the 99th Tour de France kicks off today in Liege, Belgium, riders could see a few morning showers as they begin the 3,497-km trip.

Though the start of the race is only 6.4 km, or about 4 miles, riders set off in different intervals, meaning at least one batch is likely to be affected by rain showers.

"Even though it will only rain for 10 percent of the day, the weather could really come into play," said Agricultural Meteorologist Dale Mohler.

He added that wet roads pose a danger for riders speeding through the prologue, vying to wear the yellow jersey on Sunday that marks them as the winner of the previous day.

France's summer weather is similar to states in the northern regions of the U.S. Cyclists will see slightly different climates as they ride clockwise through the country, with more rain and warmer weather in the north and northeast and a less likely chance of rainfall as they head farther south (except on mountain trails).

The beginning course through Liege will be flat and mostly straight, but it does have a few corners. Riders in intervals that luck out with dry weather might have a small advantage on those who have to slow down around turns on wet roads.

Unlike the searing heat wave making its way through the Midwest and the East in the United States, France's weekend temperature will be in the high 60s to low 70s. Winds will be between 8-15 mph: noticeable, but nothing overwhelming.

Bicyclists in the Tour de France will make a clockwise loop through France, beginning in Liege, Belgium, taking a brief tour through parts of Switzerland and finally concluding in Paris, France. (Photo courtesy of Letour.fr)

Stage 1 on Sunday will have similar conditions to Saturday's Prologue, with slightly cooler temperatures in the mid-60s and still a chance for some showers.

Things will warm up with more sun through Monday and Tuesday and temperatures in the low 70s.

This year's tour is more than 2,170 miles long, split up into 21 stages and taking 23 days to complete. There will be nine flat, four medium, five mountain and two individual time trial stages, along with two rest days.

The Tour de France's course changes every year and often bridges into neighboring countries during the race. This year, it will begin in Belgium and will also take a brief tour through Switzerland in Stage 8. It always ends in Paris, France.

As riders head into the middle and late stages of the tour in southern France, they could see hotter weather, Mohler said, although the mountain stages will keep things cool.