When to go

Wales: month by month

Average temperature, rainfall, sunshine and daylight for each month, what to pack, and the bank holidays that can change crowds and prices. Averages are Met Office 1991-2020 figures, not a forecast.

Wales guide · Rainy-day ideas in Wales

For a dry day and a wet one: photos from our guide, with where to find each place.

Wales climate by month

Warmest month: July (highs about 22°C). Coolest: January (about 9°C). Wettest: December (140 mm). Driest: April (72 mm).

Station: Cardiff, Bute Park. Mean daily maximum and minimum, rainfall, days with 1 mm or more, sunshine hours and day length.
MonthMax °CMin °CRain mmRain daysSun hoursDaylight
January8.62.512716548 h 12
February9.22.59312769 h 46
March11.33.9851211711 h 50
April14.35.7721117713 h 54
May17.48.5781119815 h 48
June20.111.3741019516 h 46
July21.813.1841120016 h 14
August21.412.91051218514 h 36
September19.110.7861215212 h 30
October15.28.01291510410 h 26
November11.64.913116658 h 39
December9.12.814015507 h 42

Source: Met Office, Cardiff, Bute Park, 1991-2020 averages (Open Government Licence v3.0). Daylight is calculated from the latitude of Wales for the 15th of each month. Cardiff, Bute Park is in the capital, on the south coast, and is the station for the main visitor base in the south. Wales is not one climate: the Snowdonia, Bannau Brycheiniog and Cambrian uplands (for example Cwmystwyth, gcm3c7rrq, near the geographic centre) and the west coast are markedly wetter and cooler than these figures.

Pick a month

Choose a month for what to expect, what to pack and the bank holidays. Without JavaScript every month is listed below.

January in Wales

3–9°CTypical night to day
127 mmRain, 16 days
8 h 12Daylight
54 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 8.6°C at the warmest and nights 2.5°C at the coolest.
  • About 127 mm of rain falls over roughly 16 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 54 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 12 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the coolest month on average.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 12 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 54 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (16 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jan

  • Fri, 1 Jan 2027: New Year’s Day
  • Mon, 3 Jan 2028: New Year’s Day

February in Wales

3–9°CTypical night to day
93 mmRain, 12 days
9 h 46Daylight
76 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 9.2°C at the warmest and nights 2.5°C at the coolest.
  • About 93 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 76 hours of sunshine in the month and 9 h 46 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 9 h 46 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.
  • Averaging about 76 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Feb

No bank holidays in Wales in February for the next two years.

March in Wales

4–11°CTypical night to day
85 mmRain, 12 days
11 h 50Daylight
117 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 11.3°C at the warmest and nights 3.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 85 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 117 hours of sunshine in the month and 11 h 50 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 11 h 50 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Mar

  • Fri, 26 Mar 2027: Good Friday
  • Mon, 29 Mar 2027: Easter Monday

April in Wales

6–14°CTypical night to day
72 mmRain, 11 days
13 h 54Daylight
177 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 14.3°C at the warmest and nights 5.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 72 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more, the driest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 177 hours of sunshine in the month and 13 h 54 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 13 h 54 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Apr

  • Fri, 14 Apr 2028: Good Friday
  • Mon, 17 Apr 2028: Easter Monday

May in Wales

9–17°CTypical night to day
78 mmRain, 11 days
15 h 48Daylight
198 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 17.4°C at the warmest and nights 8.5°C at the coolest.
  • About 78 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 198 hours of sunshine in the month and 15 h 48 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 15 h 48 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 11 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in May

  • Mon, 3 May 2027: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 31 May 2027: Spring bank holiday
  • Mon, 1 May 2028: Early May bank holiday
  • Mon, 29 May 2028: Spring bank holiday

June in Wales

11–20°CTypical night to day
74 mmRain, 10 days
16 h 46Daylight
195 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 20.1°C at the warmest and nights 11.3°C at the coolest.
  • About 74 mm of rain falls over roughly 10 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 195 hours of sunshine in the month and 16 h 46 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 46 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • One warmer layer for the evenings, when it cools to around 11°C.
  • A light waterproof or a compact umbrella: about 10 days a month see 1 mm or more.
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jun

No bank holidays in Wales in June for the next two years.

July in Wales

13–22°CTypical night to day
84 mmRain, 11 days
16 h 14Daylight
200 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 21.8°C at the warmest and nights 13.1°C at the coolest.
  • About 84 mm of rain falls over roughly 11 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 200 hours of sunshine in the month, the sunniest of the year and 16 h 14 of daylight in the middle of the month.
  • This is the warmest month on average.

Planning

  • Long days (about 16 h 14 of daylight): there is time for an early start and a late walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (11 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Jul

No bank holidays in Wales in July for the next two years.

August in Wales

13–21°CTypical night to day
105 mmRain, 12 days
14 h 36Daylight
185 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 21.4°C at the warmest and nights 12.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 105 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 185 hours of sunshine in the month and 14 h 36 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 14 h 36 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light, breathable clothes.
  • One warmer layer for the evenings, when it cools to around 13°C.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Aug

  • Mon, 30 Aug 2027: Summer bank holiday
  • Mon, 28 Aug 2028: Summer bank holiday

September in Wales

11–19°CTypical night to day
86 mmRain, 12 days
12 h 30Daylight
152 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 19.1°C at the warmest and nights 10.7°C at the coolest.
  • About 86 mm of rain falls over roughly 12 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 152 hours of sunshine in the month and 12 h 30 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 12 h 30 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (12 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for long days outdoors.
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Sep

No bank holidays in Wales in September for the next two years.

October in Wales

8–15°CTypical night to day
129 mmRain, 15 days
10 h 26Daylight
104 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 15.2°C at the warmest and nights 8.0°C at the coolest.
  • About 129 mm of rain falls over roughly 15 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 104 hours of sunshine in the month and 10 h 26 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • About 10 h 26 of daylight: enough for a full day out, but check sunset if you plan a viewpoint or a long walk.

What to pack

  • Light layers: a jumper or fleece over a T-shirt, and a light jacket for the evening.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (15 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Oct

No bank holidays in Wales in October for the next two years.

November in Wales

5–12°CTypical night to day
131 mmRain, 16 days
8 h 39Daylight
65 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 11.6°C at the warmest and nights 4.9°C at the coolest.
  • About 131 mm of rain falls over roughly 16 days with 1 mm or more.
  • Expect about 65 hours of sunshine in the month and 8 h 39 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 8 h 39 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 65 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm jacket and a jumper or fleece you can take off indoors.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (16 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Nov

No bank holidays in Wales in November for the next two years.

December in Wales

3–9°CTypical night to day
140 mmRain, 15 days
7 h 42Daylight
50 hSunshine in the month

What to expect

  • Days average 9.1°C at the warmest and nights 2.8°C at the coolest.
  • About 140 mm of rain falls over roughly 15 days with 1 mm or more, the wettest month of the year here.
  • Expect about 50 hours of sunshine in the month and 7 h 42 of daylight in the middle of the month.

Planning

  • Short days (about 7 h 42 of daylight): plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and keep evenings for museums, food and shows.
  • Averaging about 50 hours of sunshine in the month, so keep an indoor back-up for each day (see our rainy-day guide).

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves, with thermal or wool layers underneath.
  • Shoes with a good grip for cold mornings.
  • A proper waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet pavements: this is one of the wetter months here (15 days with 1 mm or more).
  • Comfortable walking shoes: most sights are best reached on foot.

Bank holidays in Dec

  • Fri, 25 Dec 2026: Christmas Day
  • Mon, 28 Dec 2026: Boxing Day
  • Mon, 27 Dec 2027: Christmas Day
  • Tue, 28 Dec 2027: Boxing Day

Holidays and busy periods

Bank holidays for Wales come from GOV.UK, listed for the next two years in each month above. Many Britons travel on bank holiday weekends, so book transport and rooms early.

School holidays are set by each local council, so we do not list dates here. Check School term and holiday dates (GOV.UK).

From our Wales guide

Wales works through the year, but weather decides what you can do. Museums, castles and covered markets help on wet days, and the mountains and coast reward clear ones.

  • Spring (March to May): A good time for coast paths and waterfalls. Some seasonal attractions, such as the Great Orme Tramway, start running again in late March.
  • Summer (June to August): The busiest season for Yr Wyddfa and the Pembrokeshire beaches; the park authorities encourage using buses in the busy months, and island boat trips run.
  • Autumn (September to November): A quieter time for hill walking and for the coast, with seasonal tramways and railways finishing for the year; check each operator.
  • Winter (December to February): Cardiff and Swansea have indoor attractions, and mountain conditions can be serious; the Pembrokeshire coastal buses run two days a week.

We do not publish crowd or price seasonality: none of the sources used for this page states it.

How we work this out

  • Temperatures, rainfall, rain days and sunshine are the Met Office 1991-2020 monthly averages for one weather station (Cardiff, Bute Park). They describe a typical month, not a forecast. We never call a live weather service for this page.
  • Packing: warm coat below 10°C highs, warm jacket below 15°C, light layers below 20°C. A full waterproof when a month has 12 or more days with 1 mm of rain or at least 80 mm; a light waterproof from 9 days; sunscreen and a hat from May to September. Shoes with grip when typical nights are 3°C or colder.
  • Daylight is the astronomical day length, including the usual allowance for atmospheric refraction, on the 15th of the month at the latitude of Wales.

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