**Mixed Weather Forecast for Glastonbury Festival: Sunshine, Showers and Potential Thunderstorms Ahead**
Festival-goers heading to this year’s Glastonbury are being urged to prepare for a variety of weather conditions, according to the latest forecasts issued as excitement builds around the legendary Somerset event. As Pilton welcomes more than 200,000 music lovers, meteorologists have indicated there will be plenty of sunshine—but attendees are also being advised to bring their waterproofs, as showers and even the risk of thunderstorms loom over the five-day affair.
The Met Office has commented that the festival is set to begin on Wednesday with promising skies. “Attendees can expect a bright start as the gates open,” a Met Office spokesperson explained, highlighting that there would be periods of sunshine interspersed with occasional showers throughout the day. Such variability is typical of British summer events, and festival veterans will know to pack accordingly.
Temperatures are expected to hover around a pleasant 24°C on Wednesday, slightly above the seasonal norm for late June. “Despite some rain in the air, there should be ample dry and sunny moments, offering a comfortable yet occasionally damp opening to this year’s festivities,” the spokesperson added. This combination of warmth and rain is expected to set the tone for much of the week.
Moving into Thursday, the outlook suggests cloud cover will become more significant, though the forecast maintains it should stay mostly dry with temperatures near 22°C. However, those pitching up tents might encounter a challenge, as winds are predicted to strengthen through the day, making the assembly of canvas shelters a bit more taxing than usual. Fortunately, these gusts are forecast to die down into the evening, creating a calmer and rather warm atmosphere as revellers settle in for their first full night.
Friday marks the official beginning of Glastonbury’s headline musical acts, but revellers will need to remain prepared for another round of windy weather. Temperatures are likely to remain balmy at around 23°C, and intervals of sunshine are expected to break through. While not the stormiest day of the festival, keeping an eye on tie-downs for tents and flags could prove prudent.
The Met Office has cautioned that the weather over the weekend remains somewhat uncertain, with shifting high pressure possibly ushering in a spell of drier and more settled weather, but it may also introduce the risk of isolated thunderstorms. “Warm, humid air could sweep up from the south intermittently, leading to occasional hot surges as well as the chance of thundery outbursts,” the spokesman indicated. This unpredictability means both sunscreen and rain jackets should feature in every festival-goer’s backpack.
Sunday is anticipated to draw one of the week’s largest crowds, as veteran musician Sir Rod Stewart is set to take over the revered Pyramid Stage for the much-anticipated legends slot. He will be joined across the weekend by an eclectic mix of international performers. Notable headliners include British pop sensation The 1975, American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, and long-standing folk icon Neil Young with his band the Chrome Hearts.
Beyond the main attractions, this year’s lineup features a wide array of artists spanning various genres. Charli XCX, known for her cutting-edge pop anthems, will take to the stage alongside rising US rapper Doechii and the contentious Irish trio Kneecap—whose inclusion sparked spirited debate among politicians and festival fans alike. Despite calls for their removal, the group is set to perform on one of Glastonbury’s numerous stages, reflecting the festival’s longstanding commitment to musical diversity and the freedom of artistic expression.
The festival’s signature sense of spectacle gets underway on Wednesday night with a pair of opening ceremonies. These will showcase not just music but also theatrical feats, including high wire walks and circus displays, before culminating in a dramatic fireworks display that is sure to set social media alight.
With temperatures promising warmth and the prospect of showers (perhaps even an electrifying thunderstorm), festival veterans and first-timers alike are reminded: Glastonbury is as much a celebration of resilience as it is of music. Packing wisely and embracing whatever the British summer may bring remains the order of the day as the world-famous festival returns to Somerset’s green fields.