Met Office’s official Coronation forecast with wash-out chaos expected

Met office weather forecast for the week ahead

The Met Office has ended weeks of weather speculation today as it has announced how the King’s Coronation weekend could look. Forecasters have all collectively chipped in, reading different weather maps to indicate whether or not the country will be basking in sunshine on the first full weekend of May. Now, the Met Office has revealed its full outlook for the second bank holiday of the month – and it’s looking like a mixed bag for many – with rain dominating.

King Charles will be crowned on May 6 alongside wife Camilla, Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey in London. The weather will be an important factor for thousands in the capital who are already lining the streets, including The Mall, leading up to Buckingham Palace.

People are urged to travel well-equipped for torrential downpours, with bright conditions seen earlier this week to be swapped with grey skies, intermittent sun and sudden showers.

Weather maps indicate that the royal procession from the palace to Westiminster Abbey, likely to be a major high moment for spectators, could remain dry. But scattered showers are on the agenda for Britain, with many central parts of the country likely to see some downpours.

This means street parties and outdoor celebrations of any kind may have to be abandoned at the last minute, with many resorting to the live coverage on TV to keep their patriotic spirit going (and themselves dry).

What does the Met Office say?

A spokesman said today that detail is now clearer – with the main event less than a week away. While many parts of southern England are seeing sunshine and mild temperatures of 13C today, this is not going to last. 

It’ll all change on Thursday, May 4 when unsettled conditions will come back, but with thunderstorms potentially on the horizon, temperatures may not tumble at all. 

“Thursday will be a more unsettled day,” the forecaster said, “with an area of low pressure bringing some wet and windy weather which will move north eastwards across the UK.

“Most areas will be cloudy through the day, with temperatures capped at 16C. Friday will be a day of sunshine and showers, which could be heavy and slow moving at times.

Saturday, May 6: The day of the King’s Coronation

Currently Saturday is forecast to be another showery day, though with less widespread and intense showers compared to Friday. But, it does look like it’ll be the better of the days across the long-weekend. 

Met Office deputy chief Forecaster, Steven Keates, said: “On Saturday we will see showers developing from late morning in some central, eastern and northern areas, but also with some sunny spells through the day.

“At this stage it looks like London could avoid the showers in the morning before some develop through the afternoon.

“Heavier rain is expected to move into the southwest of the UK and heavy showers are likely for parts of Northern Ireland. Winds will remain light away from the far north where gusty winds will begin to ease. Highs of 20C are possible in London in any sunshine, with mid to high teens possible elsewhere.”

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What about the rest of the weekend?

The forecaster continued, it said: “With celebrations continuing through the Bank Holiday, Sunday will see areas of rain breaking up into heavy, possibly thundery showers for many parts of England and Wales.The driest and brightest weather looks set for parts of Northern Ireland and northern Scotland.”

This means people heading to the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle on May 7 will need to pack umbrellas and waterproof jackets, and that picnic blankets and outdoor seating end up soaked. 

“Monday is more uncertain at this stage,” the Met Office added. “The current outlook is looking to remain unsettled before higher pressure starts to become more dominant by the middle of the week bringing a more settled spell.”

This may also disrupt any Big Help Out initiatives which are earmarked to take place outside on this final day of the historic weekend. 

Why this forecast should not be a surprise…

History buffs will be aware that coronations dating back to Edward VII have not escaped rainfall. Met Office data shows all the crowning ceremonies have had mixed weather. 

The Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II saw temperature highs of just 11.8C on June 2, 1953 – nearly an entire month later. There was also some light rain on the day.

The Coronation of HM King George V was the mildest of the last four monarch’s Coronation, with daytime highs of 17C on June 22, 1911.

With highs of 19C to 20C, King Charles’s historic day could go down in history as one of the hottest.

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