Despite summer’s promise of sunshine, festival enthusiasts are bundling up in ponchos and wellies amid downpours, as the Met Office has announced a fresh yellow warning for thunderstorms and intense showers.
This alert is active until 9 PM on Saturday, spanning from the southwest of England and sections of Wales, through the Midlands, and extending to the eastern parts of England.
Residents and business owners are being alerted to the increased risk of flooding in these regions, with possible train delays and extended travel times for drivers.
Certain areas could experience 15 to 25mm of rain within an hour, and up to 30mm in two to three hours, accompanied by hail and lightning.
Those attending Reading, Leeds, and other musical gatherings should brace for rain later today, as low-pressure systems move eastward, bringing heavy showers in their wake.
Umbrellas were also out in force at Lord’s in London as cricket fans turned up for day three of the second Rothesay Test match featuring England v Pakistan.
Four areas, mainly across the Midlands, are covered by Environment Agency flood alerts, meaning floods in these areas are possible.
The wetter weather comes after continued hot temperatures across the UK, which coincided with extremely dry conditions.
Festivalgoers have been pictured donning ponchos and wellies at the Leeds Festival, as the Met Office issued a new yellow warning for thunderstorms and heavy showers
Revellers are likely to see wetter weather throughout Saturday and this evening. Pictured: The clouds were gathering at Leeds Festival today
The wetter weather comes after continued hot temperatures across the UK, which coincided with extremely dry conditions. Pictured: Festivalgoers at Reading on Saturday
The yellow warning, now in force until 9pm on Saturday, stretches from south-west England and parts of Wales across the Midlands to the east of England
Met Office experts have previously said the UK is on course for its hottest summer on record after five heatwaves, with temperatures of up to 38.1C recorded in London.
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Festivalgoers at Reading Festival were pictured frolicking in the rain during the event, with many laughing and posing for photos as they remained in good spirits despite their outfits being drenched in mud.
Geese frontman Cameron Winter warned festivalgoers not to ‘drink the water’ on Friday as heavy rainfall seeped through the tent during their set.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: ‘An area of low pressure is currently pushing eastwards across England and Wales and Northern Ireland, pushing rain across the country. That’s going to be followed by heavy showers.
‘Temperatures generally reaching the low 20s, highs of 22 to 23C.
‘It will be a different picture for Scotland even though it’s largely cloudy, there will be some brighter spells.
‘For most it’s quite a bright start tomorrow, but it won’t be long before showers bubble up.
A group enjoy a punt n the River Cam in Cambridge under blankets and wearing ponchos
A Liverpool FC fan sits in the rain ahead of kick-off between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest
‘We will see heavy showers developing throughout the day in the north and west of the UK and some thundery weather.
‘With tomorrow being a bit more of a day of sunshine and showers, it should mean with a bit more sunshine around temperatures will be a bit higher, with highs of 20 to 23C for most and isolated areas could see 24C.
‘Monday will be a brighter day for most, quite a lot of cloud around, but also showers, more frequent in the north of the UK.
‘Temperatures may come down a touch, between 19 to 22C, maybe locally 23C.’
And wind gusts of 35 to 40mph could be seen on the south coast on Saturday, while Leeds Festival could get some gusty winds on Sunday if heavier showers hit.