Weather in Britain

Yes, the current forecast is for the weather to become more zonal from next weekend; through this week it is a blocked pattern with largely dry and mild weather eastwards, with rain blocked off to the north west. In a zonal pattern there tends to be a succession of Atlantic depressions which means a period of rain, followed by showers, followed by rain, followed by clear ... and repeat. Hence 50% wet is about as descriptive as you can get I suppose.

I've just returned from 7 weeks in Great Britain. I didn't pay much attention to forecasts more than one or two days out. The short-range forecasts tended to be quite accurate as to temperature, but whether and when there would be actual precipitation was a different matter. I took to carrying my hooded rain jacket with me every day. I often needed it as a wind breaker even if there was no rain. The umbrella sometimes got tossed in my bag and sometimes not. That decision depended more on how much of the day I expected to be outside than on the forecast itself. It didn't seem prudent to assume that any day was guaranteed to be 100% dry.

The weather seemed to get a bit dryer as I moved east across the island. My travel period was July 28 through September 17.

it seems rain is forecast at a 40-60% level for the entire period.

which means it might rain or it might not - as long as those hurricanes don't cross the Atlantic nothing to worry about

I wouldn't pay any heed to the forecast so far out. The Meteorological Office with the £millions of computer equipment still can't accurately forecast the weather more than a couple of days out. However you are visiting the UK in Autumn and this does come with the risk of rain however late September, early October tend not to be so wet. Also bear in mind that the West tends to be wetter than the East, especially Wales. It is also quite unlikely that any rain will be constant, it is more likely to be showery.

As for tips, you can't stop the rain so just accept it for what it is.

Here is the projected weather forecast for Cardiff:>http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Cardiff/forecasts/latest

If staying in Cardiff, a good wet weather option could be the National Museum of Wales (closed on Mondays). About a 45 minute drive out is the Big Pit Coal mine at Blaenavon - ideal if half a day is wet and half has good weather. On the good part of the day, you could easily combine this with the lower Wye Valley = Tintern Abbey etc. or the Brecon Beacons National Park.
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/tinternabbey/?lang=en
http://www.breconbeacons.org
http://www.wyevalleyaonb.org.uk/index.php/explore

The National Showcaves of Wales = 1 hour drive NW of Cardiff are another good option if half a day is wet. The other half could be spent visiting nearby waterfalls = Henrydd Fall at Coelbren & waterfalls up the path from the Angel Inn at Pontneddfechan near Glyn Neath.
https://museum.wales/bigpit/
http://www.showcaves.co.uk

Tintern Abbey & lower Wye Valley (route A466) can be done as a detour when going from Bath to Cardiff. If doing this, use M48 bridge to cross the Severn estuary - not M4.

I have been in northern England for 3 weeks. The forecast has been rain rain and more rain. The actual weather has been fabulous. A frw showers here and there but lots of sunshine too. Make sure you have a waterproof jacket or coat with a good hood and don't worry about it.

I am sure we will love our British trip. We always enjoy coming to Britain, the land of most of my ancestors. The weather is not like the Med, but the British countryside is amazing. We lived in Germany for four years and I always thought Germany's countryside was great, but I think the British countryside is even better.

There is so much history and we love the upbeat attitude of the people. I am proud that my ancestry comes from the British Islas. Thanks for all the help and encouragement.

This is the live weather:>https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/map/#?map=CloudAndRain&fcTime=1403233200&zoom=6&lon=-4.00&lat=53.03

(If fog is likely, then you need to switch to ‘Visible view’ as it does not always show up on infra red view). Visible view will only work during daylight hours.

Tips? Yup.

Keep looking at the weather apps/websites - at least more than one. I'll be in the UK in 12 days and will postpone packing until the day before I leave so I have the most accurate weather report I can get. I'm packing a portable umbrella and portable raincoat. The latter folds into its own left pocket to make it great for compact packing. When open, the rain coat falls to the midcalf which works for me. I'll wear my rain shoes on the plane even if it's sunny at home.

Bad weather?