UK coronation weekend weather could be dull and wet, early forecast suggests

The day of the King's coronation could be rather dull and wet, an early Sky News weather forecast suggests.

The weather will become increasingly settled and warm through the middle of the week after much of the UK enjoys sunshine and warm temperatures this weekend.

The Met Office recorded a high of 20.2C in Pershore, Worcestershire, today. In Northern Ireland, temperatures peaked at 20C at Castle Derg while in Wales 19.2C was recorded in Llysdinam.

The highest temperature of the year so far remains 21.2C in Kinlochewe, Scotland, on 17 April.

In what could be a sign of things to come, though, thunderstorms which arrived in Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England later on Saturday spoiled the plans of many.

The high pressure system settling conditions, and bringing this weekend's sunshine, will begin to move away at the end of the week, according to an early Sky News weather forecast for the coronation.

UK weather - latest Sky News forecast

Rain will move in from the southwest on Friday.

Saturday 6 May, the day of the King's coronation, looks rather dull and wet with a brisk easterly wind, according to the forecast as it stands.

It will likely be clearer in the north for Scotland.

The rest of the coronation bank holiday weekend also looks unsettled with showers and longer spells of rain.

But it is a long way off yet and things can change.

Read more:
The ultimate guide to the King's coronation
King makes front row seat offer
What the crowns, orbs and swords mean
Coronation route and royal coaches in detail
What are the rules for hosting a street party?

Met Office forecasts 'dry and mild' weather

Sky News has analysed the weather on the first weekend of May for the last 10 years to predict whether the coronation will be a sunny day of celebrations or a washout.

There were hopeful patterns in the data - suggesting dry weather is likely but the temperatures can be very unpredictable in May.

Meanwhile, an early forecast from the Met Office suggested the UK is set for "dry and mild" weather this year during the coronation bank holiday weekend.

With Big Lunches, street parties and celebrations set to take place across the country, the early Met Office prediction said people can expect "fairly settled conditions".

However, British weather is known to be notoriously unpredictable and it can be difficult to predict the weather too far in advance.

The Met Office has since revised its long-range forecast for the coronation weekend, for example. It is now predicting "a mix of showers and more prolonged rain" which is "expected to spread northeastward".

There will be more accurate weather predictions the closer we get to the big day.

You can check the five-day forecast where you are by putting your postcode into our weather checker here.

What events will take place during the coronation weekend?

• Saturday 6 May - Coronation Day

• 6-8 May - The Big Lunch across the country and the Commonwealth

• Sunday 7 May - The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle

• Monday 8 May - Bank Holiday across the nation and The Big Help Out, which encourages people to try volunteering in their local area.

Want to tune into the big event?

Sky News will kick off its coronation day coverage at 6am on Saturday 6 May.

This is free to watch via Freeview channel 233, Sky channel 501, Virgin 603 and BT 313.

Viewers can also stream for free on the Sky News website or app and on the Sky News YouTube channel.