Wales

I'm at the Royal Welsh Show for the next couple of days and after all the wet weather and floods, summer has finally arrived. The sun is shining today and there is more sunshine to come. Tomorrow is likely to be the sunniest and warmest day of the week in Llanelwedd with temperatures in the shade rising to 23 Celsius, 73 Fahrenheit.

In Wales, this July is already wetter than average but thankfully the jet stream has now moved further north allowing much drier and warmer conditions to take hold. I wouldn't be surprised if some farmers miss the show this year taking advantage of the dry spell, making silage and cutting hay. Mind you, it won't be dry and sunny everywhere this week. The north and west will be cloudier and cooler with some rain and drizzle at times.

Next weekend will turn cooler and fresher everywhere with sunshine and showers. The following week into August looks changeable with occasional rain and showers but with a few dry and sunny spells as well.

According to meteorologist Philip Eden, the first half of this summer has been the worst ever but at long last things are looking up for most of us over the next few days. The south and east of Britain will enjoy the best of the sunshine and the highest temperatures - up to 30 Celsius, 86 Fahrenheit in London! It won't be as hot as that in Powys but it will be warm and dry which is great news for everyone coming to the Royal Welsh Show.

Derek.