January - June

January is perhaps the least agreeable travel month of the year in Wales, with few hours of daylight, lots of rain and, from time to time, snow as well. Average highs range anywhere from the 30s to upper 40s along the coasts. Higher elevations further inland such as the Brecon Beacons are about 5-10 degrees colder than the coasts. Lows at night are in the 20s and 30s.

Temperatures on average move into the 50s by April and 60s by May in Brecon, with the coastal locales like Cardiff and Llandudno moving into the 50s as early as March. Around March and April, the weather will begin to improve in terms of sunshine, meaning fewer showers and more chances to explore the beautiful countryside. The grass is at its greenest and the flowers are in their fullest bloom during these spring months.

Springtime is considered the shoulder season so many smaller businesses and accommodations away from larger cities might only start operations for the year around this time. Prices tend to be lower in March through May, but the full display of amenities that the city or town you`re visiting offers may not be open or available to you.

Temperatures should rise into the mid-and-upper 60s by June, and it is not uncommon for temperatures to rise into the 70s or even 80 from time to time. By June 21, you will experience the most sunlight Wales has to offer, with Cardiff experiencing sunrise just before 5 a.m. and a sunset around 9:30 p.m.

Holidays and festivals:

January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday in Wales, expect widespread closures, and of course lots of parties and the exchange of New Year's gifts)

January 25: St. Dwynwen's Day (A celebration of the fated Welsh patron saint of lovers. Not as popular as Valentine`s Day but getting close, with much emphasis placed on Welsh-language `Dydd Santes Dwynwen` greeting cards.)

March 1: St. David's Day (national day of Wales; while it is not a public holiday, many businesses will close, and there will be parades and massive feasts in honor of St. David)

March or April: Easter Weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday, national holidays in Wales, expect widespread closures)

April: Royal Horticultural Society Flower Show in Cardiff

First Monday in May: Early May Bank Holiday (national holiday in Wales, expect widespread closures)

Late May and early June: Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye (A large literature festival that also features musicians and live speakers, once described by Bill Clinton as a `Woodstock for the mind`.)

Late May (typically concurrent with the Hay Festival): HowTheLightGetsIn Festival, Hay-on-Wye (the world`s largest philosophy and music festival; a similar festival is held in Greenwich, England in September)

Last Monday in May: Spring Bank Holiday (national holiday in Wales, expect widespread closures)

June: Dragon Ride L'Etape Wales by Le Tour de France, varying races (with the longest being 190 miles) through South Wales and the Brecon Beacons.

June or July: Tafwyl Fair, Cardiff, a fair typically held at Cardiff Castle celebrating `Welsh culture at its finest`, with fine arts performances, singing, food and beer.