It may have been a somewhat soggy start to Glastonbury as music-lovers arrived in Somerset to a downpour of rain, but a Met Office expert has said the rest of the week is expected to stay warm and sunny. Thousands of revellers descended on Worth Farm as Glastonbury 2023 opened its gates for the first time.
Some attendees had a wet start to their festival experience as Somerset threw all sorts of weather at excited festival fans. Pictures show some music-lovers stomping through an early mud pool in wellies and umbrellas, while others took to social media to complain of sunburn.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms across the South West from 12pm today (June 21). This is due to end at 7pm, however, and a meteorologist has downplayed worries of rain and storms.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell said: "For Glastonbury, anyone there at the moment they might well see a few showers for the rest of today but then we’re dry really until Sunday when we might just see some patchy rain as we go into the afternoon.
“But at the moment it shouldn’t really scupper things too much.
“Temperatures quite warm, peaking probably on Saturday around 26C, so I think sun cream, sunhats, water are certainly going to be needed because I think it is going to be quite hot for them as they go through Friday and Saturday.”
The forecaster is currently predicting some thunderstorms late morning on Thursday in the area around Worth Farm. Between 10am and 12pm the Met Office says: "Sunny intervals changing to thunder showers by late morning."
This is expected to clear up by the afternoon however, and from then festival goers have been forecast a sunny and hot week - until Sunday afternoon. Current predictions suggest light showers will hit from around 4pm.
Met Office South West forecast
This Evening and Tonight: Any showers easing to allow for some late evening sunny spells. Remaining dry overnight with clear intervals initially, though some mist and fog developing around dawn. A mild night with light winds. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
Thursday: Any early mist or fog clearing quickly, leaving a bright start. The odd isolated light shower, mainly in the east, but drier than recent days, and feeling warmer than Wednesday. Maximum temperature 26 °C.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Largely dry to end the week with hazy sunshine, but becoming windy, especially around coasts. Feeling humid with temperatures slowly rising, and showery rain arriving from the west on Sunday.
