Looking back I am sure most of you would agree that summer 2002 was rather disappointing in Wales.

Overall, June, July and August was slightly drier than normal but sunshine was in short supply and it was the dullest summer since 1988.

The reason for the poorer than average summer can be blamed on the Azores high pressure system which was weaker than usual.

Recent storms have wreaked havoc in south Wales

This was also the reason for the poor summer in southern and western France, and also the devastating floods across central and eastern Europe.

However, the minute the kids went back to school the weather improved markedly during September with some warm, sunny days on offer.

There was some heavy rain on the 9th but on the whole it was a very dry month with rainfall well below expectations.

Overall there was just 39 mm of rain, a 1/3 of the normal monthly rainfall.

It was also warmer than average with maximum temperatures 1.4 Celsius higher than usual.

Sunshine was in abundance as well, with over 5 hours on average each day.

High pressure

Taking England and Wales together it was the sunniest September since 1991.

The reason for the quiet, settled weather was a persistent area of high pressure which dominated our weather into October.

Eventually it became established over Scandinavia and that meant easterly winds for Wales so it began to turn cooler.

The high pressure acted as a block, stopping the usual progression of Atlantic lows from affecting Wales.

However, the high finally gave ground last weekend and the Indian summer came to an abrupt end.

A deep depression moved in from the Atlantic on Sunday.

Falling leaves

This low pressure system was the first significant storm of the autumn, bringing the first helping of windy and very wet weather of the season.

The rain was heaviest across south and west Wales.

A total of 73 mm of rain was recorded at Pembrey Sands in Carmarthenshire and at Velindre(between Hay on Wye and Brecon), 66.7 mm was measured in 24 hours - an October record (records began here in 1972).

There was localised flooding due mainly to drains blocked by falling leaves and overflowing culverts but river levels coped well with the deluge due to the recent prolonged dry spell.

So we have seen a big change in the weather.

Another depression brought more wind and rain today with temperatures no higher than a chilly 12 Celsius.

This will move away into Denmark by Thursday so the end of this week is looking much drier and brighter but colder with winds from the north.

Some frost is likely in places overnight. while over the hills and mountains of northern Britain, especially the Scottish Highlands a little snow is likely!

So dig out those warm clothes, autumn has well and truly arrived!

See Derek Brockway on Wales Today at 1330GMT and 1830GMT weekdays on BBC One Wales and hear him on BBC Radio Wales.

Click here to watch the Wales Today webcast, or here to listen to BBC Radio Wales live online.

If you have a weather topic you want Derek to explain, send an email to [email protected]