Standardized daily precipitation patterns over Wales for more than 1000 days on which significant falls occurred are grouped using cluster analysis to yield nine major pattern groups. Comparison of the pattern groups with the Lamb circulation, near-surface airflows and significant synoptic situations yields a detailed synoptic precipitation climatology which clearly relates daily precipitation pattern to a limited number of specific synoptic situations and their associated airflows. The limitations inherent within the Lamb classification when applied to a small area also emerge. Near-surface airflow and, in particular, the more detailed surface synopsis are more reliable predictors of daily precipitation patterns.