The first of September marked the start of meteorological autumn, and it's certainly feeling a bit chillier this week! Temperatures will be far more autumnal, with a mix of sunshine and showers which should settle down as we head into the weekend.
Sunset over Rest Bay by Paula J James
Figures from the Met Office suggest that Wales had a fairly average summer. Meteorological summer is measured across June, July and August and during those months Wales had 7% more rain than average, but also 6% more sunshine.
The daytime temperature was 0.7ºC lower than normal at 17.8ºC; slightly wetter and cooler than average but with sunnier days overall, it turned out to be a pretty average summer!
Kingfisher perched in the rain by David John
Thursday afternoon will see a mix of sunny spells variable cloud and scattered showers pushing southwards on brisk north-westerly winds. Temperatures fall in the mid-teens, (13ºC on Anglesey and in Newport) but it should feel a bit warmer than that in the sunshine.
Thursday evening will be fine for most with just a few showers expected which will slowly ease in the night. The lighter winds and clearer skies it will turn chillier and mist and fog patches will form. It will feel much cooler again in rural mid Wales with temperatures back in single figures at 7 or 8ºC.
Friday morning will see a chilly start with some early mist and fog. There will be fewer showers around and some sunny spells too and although it is largely dry there will be chilly north-westerly winds. It’ll feel very much like a fine September day for most, with temperatures reaching14ºC in Wrexham and 17ºC in Cardiff.
Morning mist in Dinas Emrys by John Peredur Hughes
High pressure is slowly building from the west, so the winds will ease and showers will become lighter for the end of the week and hopefully into the weekend.
We could see a few showers Saturday but it will be largely dry with decent sunny spells. The northerly winds will keep temperatures in the mid to high teens.
Then over the weekend it looks like high pressure will establish itself more firmly over the UK. This should turn increasingly fine dry and settled, especially by Sunday.
It should feel quite pleasant in the sunshine by day but quite chilly at night. It's also looking slightly warmer for the start of next week.
