Wales has a maritime climate: in other words, it is influenced by the sea, which surrounds it on three sides. This means that it never gets very hot in summer or very cold in winter. You may have heard that it rains, but not as much as people think, and very rarely for long. And of course, the rain ensures that the country stays green and fresh all year round.
One of the most noticeable aspects of the weather, which we get as a result of the climate, is variability and changeability. For example, Bangor, on the North Wales coast, gets around 1,000 mm (40 inches) of rain over the year, while Capel Curig, 25Km / 15 miles away, gets over 3,000 mm. The key to the difference is the mountains. It is this variety that makes our weather interesting!
Starting in January, as the seasons change, the days lengthen and it becomes warmer and sunnier. At the end of March, British Standard Time begins and the evenings become progressively longer until late June when daylight lasts from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. The summer continues until well into September, and then in October, the signs of Autumn become clear with the changing leaves and the return to Greenwich Mean Time. When Winter finally arrives in late November, we may get some snow although this is usually in the mountains - making for stunning views. In recent years, we have had relatively little snow at lower altitudes.
Our driver guides have grown up with our interesting weather and on any day when rain is forecast or happening, they are well used to changing the order of the itinerary for the day, to take advantage of an indoor visit and then, when the sun comes shining through, to return outdoors.
For our guests, we always advise having a raincoat and good shoes just in case!
The Tide: Those who live in Wales are used to this twice daily natural phenomenon. However, for people who live in some areas of the world (non-tidal zones) such as the southern states of the USA or the Mediterranean, this can be difficult to appreciate.
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of gravitational forces exerted by the Moon, Sun, and rotation of the Earth. You need to be aware of the tide times if considering a long walk in some areas, just Google local tide times. e.g. tide times Caernarfon.
Picture was below taken at high tide
Same location six hours later at low tide.
The changes brought by the tide are a magnet for those who love nature and photography, as each turn of the tide hides or reveals another fascinating scene.