00:00Wales is a land of stunning landscapes, rugged coastlines and rolling hills.
00:08But behind the beauty, we've experienced some truly remarkable and extreme weather events.
00:12From record-breaking heat to rare snow.
00:15We're taking a look at Wales' weather records and some of its most unusual meteorological moments.
00:20It's always unpredictable here in Wales. You know, it was supposed to rain today.
00:24August bank holiday this year was a memorable one.
00:27It was the hottest we've ever seen in Wales and over 29 degrees Celsius recorded at Hwarden in Flintshire.
00:32A place that comes up time and time again on Wales' temperature records.
00:36The hottest we've ever had in Wales was 37.1 degrees Celsius again at Hwarden on July 18, 2022.
00:44Hwarden often experiences the highest temperatures in Wales.
00:48Its sheltered location, low elevation and distance from the moderating effects of the sea allow heat to build, especially during calm sunny days.
00:56Other extreme temperatures include 35.2 degrees in August 1990, 33.7 degrees in Macuncliffe in 2000 and several occasions above 30 degrees, mostly concentrated in the northeast.
01:07For a country mostly known for wet weather, temperatures like these are positively tropical.
01:11But of course, Wales can also be bitterly cold.
01:16The lowest temperature ever recorded in Wales was minus 23.3 degrees Celsius at Ryder and Powys on the 21st of January 1940.
01:24Mountainous areas, particularly Snowdonia and the Brecon beacons, regularly experience heavy frost and subzero temperatures during winter months, while lowland areas generally a bit milder.
01:33These cold snaps can disrupt travel, freeze waterways and have a major impact on farming and livestock.
01:41It's certainly not all about the hot and cold though, as Wales is no stranger to dangerous weather events.
01:46Storm Owen, for example, which took in 2025, had gusts reportedly reached around 114 miles per hour.
01:52While Storm Dara in December 24 brought winds above 90 miles per hour in places like Kapoor Cyraig and the Llyn Peninsula.
01:59These storms highlight how vulnerable communities across the country are to extreme and damaging weather.
02:05Rain and flooding, too, have caused some of the most devastating weather impacts in recent years.
02:11Storm Dennis in February 2020 and Storm Burt in December 24 led to widespread flooding, particularly affecting South Wales and communities along major rivers.
02:20Homes were damaged, roads were cut off, and the combination of heavy rainfall and steep terrain created dangerous landslides.
02:27These events remind us how quickly the weather can turn destructive in Wales.
02:31And the periods of drought, too, though less dramatic than storms, have also shaped Welsh history.
02:38The drought of 1976 lasted for nine weeks during the summer, causing severe water shortages and affecting agriculture, followed then by extreme rain in the months that followed.
02:48In the late 19th and early 20th century, Wales experienced prolonged periods of low rainfall lasting for decades, impacting rivers, crops and livelihoods.
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