The Met Office has issued its long-range forecast for August and indicated that scorching heatwaves could return to Wales, but not before some rain arrives. Much of the country has experienced hot temperatures for almost all of July, with heatwave conditions met for over a week in several areas.
Drought and hosepipe bans
The hot and dry weather left Wales' parks, mountains, farmland and sports pitches yellow and led Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to declare drought status in two areas. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water was also forced to implement a hosepipe ban in parts of west Wales as a result of the dry spell.
Rain expected this weekend
While the spell of heatwaves has officially come to an end, with downpours and cooler temperatures forecast this weekend, the break might not last long. According to the Met Office, the end of this week will see Wales' first downpours in over a month. It will remain largely dry over the coming days, with just a few isolated showers, before a band of rain moves in on Sunday afternoon.
The long-range forecast, for Monday, August 3 until Wednesday, August 12, says the UK is likely to see more "changeable" weather. "This means there is a greater chance of some rain or showers for areas of the UK which have seen prolonged dry weather, although rainfall amounts are likely to be fairly modest," it says. "Just a low chance of a deeper area of low pressure which would bring more widespread and heavier rain along with some strong winds."
Mid-August outlook
Beyond that it will likely become mostly dry once again as we head toward mid-August. Temperatures closer to average, still the potential for some warmer interludes, especially in the south, although perhaps not the heat we have seen in recent weeks.
Later on in the month, Met Office forecasters have suggested that heatwave conditions could return. The forecast from Wednesday, August 12 to Wednesday, August 26 says: "Dry and settled conditions will probably dominate much of this period with high pressure patterns tending to affect the UK. This may be interrupted at times by Atlantic frontal systems, especially in the north, or thunderstorms in the south. However, overall rainfall amounts will likely be below normal. Temperatures will probably be above normal and some spells of hot weather and heatwaves are possible, especially in the south."
