Music fans are likely to avoid any major downpours or stifling heatwaves at this year’s Glastonbury festival, forecasters have said.
The festival in Somerset will see some scattered showers, sunshine, clouds, and temperature highs between 22C and 25C – but revellers can be fairly confident that they will avoid any heavy rainfall.
More than 200,000 people are expected to descend on the fields of Pilton, with ticket-holders advised to prepare for mainly warm weather but to also bring waterproofs to the five-day event, which might see thunderstorms over the weekend.
“Despite the risk of some showers, there will still be plenty of dry and bright intervals in between,” a spokesperson for the Met Office said. “Temperatures will be around 24C, so slightly above average for the time of year, making for a pleasant, if occasionally damp, start to this year’s festival.”
Thursday is expected to be cloudy but dry with temperatures around 22C. Those setting up tents may find it even trickier than usual, with winds strengthening during the day.
“Thursday evening will see those winds taper off and make for a pleasant evening with some sunshine and cloud helping to keep things warm,” the Met Office’s spokesperson said.
More gusty winds are likely on Friday – the day the main music acts begin – but there should be some sunny spells and temperatures of about 23C.
There is less certainty over the weekend, although high pressure could lead to longer, drier spells and thunderstorms.
“It’s also likely that there will be very warm, humid air pushing in from the south at times, potentially bringing brief hot spells and even the risk of isolated thunderstorms,” the Met Office spokesperson added.
In the late 1990s and 2000s, Glastonbury became synonymous with heavy rain and muddy fields, though for some time now has avoided the chaotic scenes witnessed in years such as 1997, 1998, 2005 and 2007.
Acts performing this year include the British pop band The 1975, the veteran singer-songwriter Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, and the US pop star Olivia Rodrigo, all headlining the Pyramid stage.
Other notable performers include the Brat star Charli xcx, the rising rapper Doechii and the controversial Irish rap trio Kneecap – despite many calls from politicians, including the prime minister, Keir Starmer, for them to be removed from the bill.
The festival will have two opening ceremonies on Wednesday, with a theatre and circus show including high-wire walkers and acrobats followed by a fireworks display.
