Situated in the south of the country, Bristol is one of the warmest cities in the UK, It is also amongst the sunniest, with 1541-1885 hours sunshine per year, Rain falls all year round but autumn and winter are the wettest seasons. The Atlantic strongly inlfuences Bristol's weather holding temperatures above-freezing all year, though cold spell in winter often bring frosts. Although a rare occurrence, snow can fall at any time from mid-November through to mid-April. Summers are drier and quite warm with variable amounts of sunshine, rain and cloud. Spring is unsettled and changeable. This season has been known to deliver spells of winter snow as well as summer sunshine.Sport and leisure in Bristol city
The city has two League football clubs: Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, as well as a number of non-league clubs, most notably Bristol Manor Farm.
Bristol City announced plans for a new 30,000 all seater stadium to replace their home, Ashton Gate. Bristol Rovers, are the oldest professional football team in Bristol, formed in 1883. Rovers are just below mid-table in League One, and reached the Quarter-Final stage of the FA Cup. During their history, Rovers have been Champions of the (old) division Three (1952/53, 1989/90), Watney Cup Winners (1972, 2006/07), and runners-up in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. The Club have planning permission to re-develop the Memorial Stadium into an 18,500 All-seater Stadium to be completed by December 2010.
The Bristol city is also home to Bristol Rugby rugby union club, a first-class cricket side, Gloucestershire C.C.C. and a Rugby League Conference side, the Bristol Sonics.
In summer the grounds of Ashton Court to the west of the city play host to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, a major event for hot-air ballooning in the UK. The Fiesta draws a substantial crowd even for the early morning lift that typically begins at about 6.30 am. Events and a fairground entertain the crowds during the day. A second mass ascent is then made in the early evening, again taking advantage of lower wind speeds. Ashton Court also plays host to the Ashton Court festival each summer, an outdoors music festival which used to be known as the Bristol Community Festival.
