The hottest June on record has given way to torrential rain, plummeting temperatures and strong winds - with more set to come in the days ahead. While last month saw parts of the country top 30C, so far this month we have struggled to get over 20C - and the Met Office says another cool front is on the way.
BBC Wales weather presenter Derek Brockway has explained why the weather has changed so sharply, as we get deeper into summer, a phenomenon people in the UK are used to in July and even August
He said: "It often changes in July after a good spell in May and June. Seen it happen in numerous summers over the years. And the Welsh for July is Gorffennaf which means 'end of summer'. August is the wettest summer month on average in Wales and autumnal."
BBC meteorologist Paul Hudson said: "It's at this time of year that climatologist Professor Lamb's work is of interest. He studied 100 years of weather patterns to determine whether any repeated themselves. One of the patterns which Lamb discovered is called the 'return of the westerlies', during the second half of June.
"It describes a resumption of an unsettled and changeable pattern of weather, with areas of low pressure and associated rain-bearing weather fronts spreading eastwards across the UK from the Atlantic. This follows a period through late spring and early summer when westerly winds are at their weakest."
The long-range forecast for the whole of the UK from Monday, July 10, to Wednesday, July 19, is predicting more "unsettled conditions", reports WalesOnline.
The forecast says: "The start of this period is likely to see unsettled conditions established across the country, with showers or longer spells of rain for many, most frequent towards the west. Showers may be heavy and thundery at times. Often breezy, especially in the west.
"Temperatures are expected to be generally near average, perhaps locally above average in any drier and brighter spells, the best of which are likely towards the east. Further into this period, a gradual trend towards more settled weather for a time across the UK from the southwest is signalled, although likely only temporary with more generally unsettled conditions resuming towards the end of the period. Often breezy during unsettled conditions, with daytime temperatures generally around average, perhaps slightly below average for some."
The weather could be set to improve, at least for a time, at the end of July as we head into August.
