### Welsh Families Advised to Prepare for Mixed Weather as School Summer Holidays Begin
As schoolchildren across Wales celebrate the start of their long-awaited summer break, parents and carers are faced with the perennial challenge: how to plan activities when the nation’s weather is so famously fickle? This year is no exception, with forecasters predicting an assortment of weather conditions during the crucial first week of the holidays.
The latest reports suggest that Monday, 21 July, will open the holidays with largely overcast and dry conditions spread across much of Wales. Yet, for many, that pleasant beginning is likely to be short-lived, as bands of rain slowly drift in from the west as the day progresses. Those in the eastern parts of Wales, including areas such as Monmouth, Hereford, and stretching up towards Ludlow, may be luckier, with the clouds periodically parting to grant spells of sunshine, albeit still shadowed by intermittent heavy or possibly even thundery showers.
Temperatures are expected to remain mild at the start of the week, with highs of around 21°C in the east, and a comfortable 18-19°C elsewhere throughout the country. As evening arrives, the rain is set to linger, although most regions can expect a gradual reprieve overnight, particularly over the hillier areas where the showers could persist.
Tuesday’s weather outlook points towards a noticeably grey and damp start, which could prove a source of frustration for families hoping to get outdoors early. However, experts from the Met Office believe the worst of the rainfall will move on by the afternoon, clearing the way for a largely dry spell peppered with sunny intervals and occasional showers. Key locations, such as Maesteg, Merthyr Tydfil, and Ystradgynlais, may experience persistent showers throughout the day. Temperatures will generally hover around 17-18°C for most, with Cardiff and Monmouth possibly nudging up to 20°C.
Wednesday, however, is shaping up to be a return to wet weather for many, with forecasters warning of bands of heavy rainfall and the risk of thunder, particularly across areas like Tregaron, Builth Wells, and Aberystwyth. Such conditions may force many to reconsider any plans for outdoor excursions on this midweek day, as the rain threatens to dampen the start of the holidays.
For those hoping for a proper summer’s day, Thursday appears to be the most promising date during the first week. The forecast points to mostly dry conditions, interspersed with generous sunny spells—perfect for a day trip or a family picnic. Temperatures are predicted to climb, with highs potentially reaching 22-23°C in places like Abergavenny and Hay-on-Wye, offering the warmest weather of the week across Cardiff, Newport, and the eastern regions. This should come as welcome news for those eager to make the most of the outdoors.
Looking towards the first weekend of the school break, the Met Office indicates that westerly winds will likely play a central role, bringing with them further spells of rain. The west and northwest, particularly upland areas, could see the longest and heaviest downpours, possibly frustrating plans for those in these regions.
However, conditions might be more forgiving to the east of the hills and in southern parts of Wales, where drier and brighter spells are possible. Some meteorologists remain cautiously optimistic that high pressure may build from the southwest late in the week, which could pave the way for clearer skies and a more summery feel in the latter stages.
Despite these improvements, families are advised that the weather will, at times, be breezy—especially in the north—and that temperatures will remain close to the seasonal average. There is only a slim chance of more pronounced hot weather as the end of July draws near and August arrives.
As always in Wales, flexibility remains key. Those planning activities are wise to keep an eye on local forecasts and prepare for eventualities, as the nation’s weather rarely stays in the same mood for long. While the full force of summer may yet shine through, the message from weather experts remains clear: expect changeable conditions over these formative days of the school holidays.