BBC presenter Derek Brockway says there's really good news about the weather

After what has felt like months and months of rain, BBC weather presenter Derek Brockway has finally got some good news on the weather. After unsettled weather early next week, the presenter says it's looking like it will be much better later in the month

The forecaster says there are signs that "high pressure and more settled weather" is on the way by April 20, and he bravely predicted that the second half of April "will be drier". He shared a chart showing a band of higher pressure over the whole of the UK and western Europe.

This winter has been one of the wettest winters on record in Wales, and March and April have so far seen little let up. For the UK as a whole, the 18 months to March 2024 ranks as the fourth wettest on record, with 2,085.6mm of rain falling. The UK’s wettest 18-month period was August 2019 to January 2021.

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Derek also linked to the long-range UK forecast which is similarly optimistic about the second half of April.

The forecast for the end of April into the start of May says: "Through the latter part of April, high pressure will probably be close to the UK with a good deal of dry weather for many areas. Over time these settled conditions will probably move northwards, with the driest weather across the northwest of the UK as we move into May. Where more unsettled conditions develop, these are most likely in the south with a risk of some heavy rain or showers. Temperatures will probably rise above average overall, with warm days but some colder nights."

The BBC Weather long-range also says that there are indications that the high pressure in the north will hold which will "potentially lead to drier weather".

However in the short term there's likely to be unsettled weather. The forecast for Friday to Monday in Wales says: "Often cloudy through the morning with some rain or drizzle in the north and west. Brighter spells developing in the east through the afternoon, and feeling warm in the sunshine. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

"Bright spells on Saturday, with patchy rain in the north and west. Sunshine and occasional showers on Sunday. Showers more widespread and heavier on Monday. Temperatures returning to average. Breezy."