Autumn has arrived in Wales this week bringing heavy rain, strong to gale force winds, blustery showers and some sunshine.

It has also turned noticeably cooler with north-westerly winds bringing colder air down from the Arctic.

In fact tonight is going to be the coldest night of the week with some ground frost, especially in the countryside, on sandy soils and in rural areas with temperatures falling close to freezing in a few locations.

Over the weekend, the weather is set to change again.

Saturday will start dry and bright with some sunshine but gradually cloud over with a few spots of light rain in the north and west. 

The south and east and Mid Wales should stay mostly dry with top temperatures  between 14 to 16 Celsius with a light to moderate west to south-westerly breeze.

On Saturday night the rain will spread across the country with some moderate bursts but much milder with temperatures around 8 to 12 Celsius.

Sunday will be rather cloudy with some rain and heavy showers but some drier interludes too.

It may even brighten-up on the north coast with some sunshine and temperatures around16 to 18 Celsius.

Anne Riggs in Haycastle sent me this pic of Newgale beach looking bright and sunny earlier today:

Next week is best described as mixed - with some rain and showers at times but also some sunshine and becoming warmer too.

There's lots going on this weekend!

The Lampeter Bee Keepers Association are holding an open day at Norwood Gardens, Llanllwni near Pencader on Sunday from 10.30am with lots of activities and stalls.

Pop along to a fun and free Deadly Day Out with CBBC's Live 'n' Deadly on Sunday and meet naturalist Steve Backshall.

In Barry - the first Vintage and Steam weekend is taking place at Romilly Park with three Traction Engines.

You can also see one of the very first petrol driven fire engines, several vintage buses and World War Two memorabrillia including pump engines and over 150 vintage cars. Fireman Sam is attending too!

While in Knighton, Powys, The Battle of Britain Parade is taking place on Sunday at 10.15am with a parade through the town.

Derek

Vintage fire engines on BBC Wales History

Battle of Britain - Welsh Aces on BBC Wales History

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No, it's not the latest Bond film, it's a new children's wildlife and adventure series from Steve Backshall - naturalist, writer, adventurer and TV presenter.

Some of you will already know Steve from BBC programmes such as Lost Land of the Volcano, Lost Land of the Jaguar, Expedition Borneo and Deadly 60 on CBBC - when he travelled to six different continents to complete a list of the 60 most lethal animals on earth.

In his latest television series, Steve will be bringing the great outdoors directly into your living room every Saturday morning.

The show will be broadcast over eight episodes on BBC and CBBC starting on 11 Sept.

Steve studies a preying mantis using a magnifying glass:
Steve will be introducing children to climbing, abseiling, white-water rafting, wildlife watching, birds of prey, snakes, spiders and plenty of other wildlife surprises.

To celebrate the new series; Steve is taking his Live and Deadly tour out on the road. In Wales there will be a Deadly Day Out on Sunday, 19 September at the Cwmbran Shopping Centre from 10am - 4pm.

You'll be able to meet Steve and the team and get up close and personal to some amazing wildlife. Wales' very own reptile guru, Dr Rhys Jones will also be there, so expect plenty of snakes!

Besides the animals, the Live and Deadly truck will be bringing challenges and dares to Cwmbran, so pop along if you're up for a challenge!

Local wildlife groups will also be on hand to show you what you can get up to in your area and you might even have the chance to appear in your own animal movie - using the latest green screen technology. Imagine swimming with sharks or soaring with eagles?!

BBC Live & Deadly - FAQ's

Gull

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It definitely feels like autumn has arrived today with a strong and blustery wind making it feel cool.

There have been gales on the hills and mountains with a gust of 68 mph recorded at Capel Curig in Snowdonia.

The wind will ease tonight and tomorrow will be less windy but cool with a mixture of sunshine and showers.

The air will be more unstable than today though which means if you catch a shower it could be heavy with a risk of hail and thunder.

Friday will be generally drier with some sunshine and the wind should fall but it will turn cold overnight with a touch of ground frost early on Saturday!

Derek

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