SusanP

Just wondering about the weather in Wales in mid-October. I've checked a weather website, but there seems to be a big difference in the amount of rain depending on where you are. If we stayed around Caernafon, how would it be? Of course, I realize anything could happen with weather, but I'm wondering in general. I realize it will be cool, probably in the 50's, and I'm not afraid of some rain but would rather not have it pouring every day. Thanks!

vcl

We were in Wales in November, 2002. Some rain, some sun, somewhat coolish. Certainly not enough rain to frighten anyone off.

SusanP

Thanks, vcl, that doesn't sound too bad, and according to the weather website, Nov has more rain than Oct.

BoulderCO

Wales can be rainy any time of the year. We have been there twice in September and had some sunny days and some days where it was pouring rain. I imagine it would be the same in October. I love Wales but I don't love the weather. My relatives living there should be used to it but they still complain about the lack of warm sunny days. In general, we have had better weather in South Wales than North.

Frances

Sometimes we have "glaw tri diwrnod" translated as three days rain.I live in the north -west.Three days solid of rain is unusual at any time of year but it is common to have several days where it rains at some time each day.You would be unlucky if you had (e.g.) 3 days when you got soaked every time you went out.
On the other hand it will not be desperately cold.
One final point, October usually brings the first major storm of the Winter. This is no problem unless you are planning to cross to Ireland as it can cause the fast ferry and even sometimes the ordinary ferry to be suspended.
One more final point! The beginning of October is very pretty and if you are here then I would base yourselves around Porthmadog/Beddgelert to take the greatest advantage of this.

SusanP

Thanks for the input. It would be the week beginning Oct 9. We have a week in England the following week and were considering going to Wales first but were looking at northern Wales. Will have to some more thinking on this. I appreciate the responses.

Ani

We visited N. Wales in late March of 2002 and had a lot of rain but you know what? It was really romantic! We loved visiting the castles with kind of gloomy, rainy weather (not to mention having them to ourselves at that time of year).

And Frances...you get to live in a place I dream about returning to....jealous.

SusanP

Ani, I guess that "atmosphere" is something to consider! Thanks.

m_kingdom

My dear, rain is to Wales as water is to the Atlantic.

BrimhamRocks

My husband and I went to Wales in late October, and yes, it was somewhat rainy. But Wales is absolutely beautiful and I think you will really enjoy your visit there, rain or no rain. Enjoy!!

Frances

We have had so much rain in the last 48 hours that the air even smells and feels wet.Ani- it's lovely to live here because this is my norm. Imagine how wonderful it is for me to go somewhere where it doesn't rain so much.
Every time we book a holiday it has to be somewhere there is not cold rain. If its warm rain its o.k.
Spent Christmas in Vietnam and Singapore where it poured- just realised why it's call Singapour!, but it was warm so even though we got soaked we just went and changed our clothes and went back out.
Does it rain in Hawaii in August?

AR

Last October was particularly mild, and the winter so far has been pleasant (although I'm not looking forward to this week's "big freeze&quot - so much so that I still have Geraniums blooming in my garden.
As previous posters have said, it'll be hit and miss but it's best to expect rain especially in the North where it's so close to the Snowdonia range.
Frances - I love the glaw tri diwrnod. Here in the South, I call it "pishio lawr". But it's true to say that on most occasions you know that the rain is in for the day.

SusanP

Guess we'll just have to decide whether we want a vacation where it's almost sure to rain. We do want to go to Wales. Thanks.

Trevor

Generally, wherever you go in Britain in October, your going to get some rain. From what l can remember of this year, October seemed more colder than wetter. I live in Cardiff, and l really cannot remember it being that wet last year, and certainly nothing like raining really badly every day.

If you looking for a week of perfect weather then come at the beginning of August. Obviously it's the middle of summer then, so everywhere will be quite warm and probably no rain.

Frances

Trevor- you cannot be an "eisteddfodwr".!
Don't you remember Carmarthen circa 1973?
The National Eisteddfod(the Welsh festival of music drama and art ) is held every year during the first week of August.It is somewhat of a rite of passage for the young who camp or(if you can find a friend whose parents have a caravan) caravan on the eisteddfod field.Very very often the rain turns the campsite into a quagmire. I remember meeting friends of mine on the field in Carmarthen in 1973, which was the worst I remember, wearing carrier bags over their shoes to try and keep out the mud and rain.
Yet anyone who has been will tell you it's memorable!

carolyn

Frances, other than what the locals call "liquid sunshine," you shouldn't encounter much rain in Hawaii in August. Just keep walking and look for the gorgeous rainbows.

Trevor

With all respect Frances, the Eisteddford of 1973 was over 30 years ago. If you were in Wales or anywhere throughout the UK in August of last year, you would remember that there was no rain for the whole month and we actually had the warmest day ever in Britain.

Global warming and other effects will mean that weather 30 years ago will be somehow irrelivant.

Frances

Thank you Carolyn, that's what I was hoping to hear!

vstanton

Would highly recommend a vacation in Wales it is a wonderful country. Have been to north Wales twice and mid Wales in May 2003 and definately want to go back. Don't get too hung up on the weather. In May last year the weather was unusally wonderful, sunny and warm 6 days straight, people were swimming in Cardigen Bay, which is a wonderful area and I highly recommend it. Stayed about 3 miles outside of New Quay. Also stayed outside of Harlich one year and that area was great. Also did Snowden and that area and would recommend that also. Have a great time and enjoy the country and it's people

Mucky

Hi SusanP,
As you quite rightly said the weather is really unpredictable. However this is not unique to Wales, the rest of the UK have a hammering too !
In October expect rain anywhere at any time, but equally be hopeful it will be dry for some part of your trip.
The rain helps to give the countryside of Wales its lush beauty and what would we do without it.
Temperature in October will be cool but not icy freezing (hopefully).
Trevor is quite right, the weather is changing and last year Cardiff achieved the highest temperature ever recorded in the UK, although unfortunately this was not in October.
I suggest you come to Wales, enjoy it but don't forget a brolly.

Muck