The UK will enjoy a midweek heatwave but Glastonbury could be a muddy affair after the Met Office warned festival-goers to “pack their wellies”.
Wednesday is set for highs of 28C to 29C, according to Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill, but the heatwave is due to come to a halt on Thursday when thundery showers sweep across England.
Thousands of people are making their way to Glastonbury festival in Somerset, where Diana Ross, Kendrick Lamarr and Fleetwood Mac are among the headline acts, amid disruption caused by this week’s rail strikes.
Transport disruption is not the only bad news for those heading to Worthy Farm, with Mr Burkill saying: “So I think through Thursday, we’re going to see some hefty showers pushing up from the south.
“So particularly later on in the day, many parts of England could see some heavy, perhaps even thundery, showers.
“Then, further showery rain, heavy, perhaps even thunder at times as we go through Friday, Saturday and especially Sunday.”
He said that Sunday was set to be the wettest day for the next few days.
He added: “So at the moment, Sunday looks perhaps the wettest day to come for the next few days.
“But that being said, there will still be some showery rain around starting later on Thursday but continuing all the way through Friday and into the weekend.”
Unfortunately for festival-goers, he said that Glastonbury will not escape the wet weather.
“They will have a fine, hot day (on Wednesday), perhaps too hot for some, with plenty of sunshine and then thereafter it definitely becomes more changeable,” he said.
“So there’s risk of heavy showers on Thursday, particularly later on. And then the risk of a few showers as we go through Friday and Saturday, but heavier showers on Sunday.”
He advised attendees to pack for both scorching hot weather and rain.
He said: “They’ll need hats and sunscreen, and plenty of water to deal with the hot sunny spells, particularly on Wednesday.
“And then thereafter, they’ll definitely need their wellies because conditions will take a bit of a wetter turn.”
UK forecast for the next 5 days
Most areas fine and dry today
Today:
Another fine, dry day with plenty of sunshine for most areas, conditions also a little hotter than yesterday. Cloudier for parts of the far north and northwest of Scotland where likely a little rain at times.
Tonight:
After a fine evening most regions will have a dry night with clear skies. Cloudier in the very far north with some patchy rain. Warmer than last night.
Thursday:
Fine and dry for many areas again tomorrow, many parts hotter than today as well. Risk of showers or thunderstorms affecting parts of England and Wales though.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday :
Showers, locally heavy and thundery moving northeast through Friday. Becoming widely unsettled, cooler and breezy from Saturday with heavy showers in the west. Warmest in the northeast.
