Coronation Weekend Weather: Showers and Sunshine Clash for May 6
As the UK gears up for the big Coronation on Saturday, May 6, the weather forecast is starting to take shape. Expect a mixed bag: some dry spells, but plenty of clouds and showers too.
Early Week: Dry, But Mostly Cloudy
From Monday through Tuesday, most of the UK will stay dry, though skies will be mostly cloudy. The best sunshine appears in southwest England and the far north of Scotland, with temperatures in the southwest reaching a warm 19°C.
By Wednesday, skies will brighten with hazy sun across much of the country. However, western Scotland should brace for some showers that will gradually ease. Southwest England can expect highs of 18°C, but a stronger wind means it might feel chillier.
Unsettled Weather Hits Midweek and Friday
Thursday brings a wet and windy blast as low pressure sweeps northeastward across the UK. Clouds will dominate and temperatures will drop slightly, maxing out at 16°C.
Friday won’t offer much respite—sunshine will battle with showers across the UK, including London. Some downpours will be heavy and sluggish, especially along England’s northeast coast. Southern England could still see highs of 19°C.
Coronation Day: Showers Roll In, But Some Sun Breakthroughs
Saturday looks like a typically British mix. Showers will develop mainly late morning in central, eastern, and northern regions, but sunny spells will also pop up.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Steven Keates said: “London may dodge the morning showers, but rain will move in during the afternoon. The southwest will face heavier rain, and Northern Ireland looks set for some heavy showers. Winds will be light except in the far north where gusts ease. London could hit 20°C in the sun, with mid to high teens elsewhere.”
Weekend and Bank Holiday Outlook
Sunday’s Bank Holiday celebrations continue under a patchy sky, with rain breaking up into heavy, possibly thundery, showers across much of England and Wales. Northern Ireland and northern Scotland should enjoy drier, brighter conditions.
Monday is still uncertain, with unsettled weather expected before high pressure pushes in midweek, promising a more stable spell.
Looking Back: Weather on Past Coronations
Historical Met Office data reveals past coronations have seen all kinds of weather. Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation on June 2, 1953, was chilly and damp, with highs of just 11.8°C and light rain throughout the day. King George V’s coronation on June 22, 1911, was milder, reaching 17°C and marking the warmest of the last four monarchs’ ceremonies.
