There are plenty of events planned over the long weekend with Jubilee pageants, parties and concerts. The weather forecast has been reluctant to settle as organisers and attendees wait.
The long weekend with Jubilee Bank Holidays is getting nearer. The weather forecast is being a bit of a rascal considering there are lots of outdoor events going on and many people have a few days off work. The overall picture for the UK weather is a bit lacklustre and prone to clusters of heavy showers, inlcuding thundery ones potentially nipping in from the sides. Showers are always tricky with their hit and miss nature, downpours then sunshine and some parts getting a soaking whereas nearby stays dry. There is a warming trend for the first half of June, but it seems to take nearly two weeks to fully take hold and we want it for this weekend! Western Scotland looks warm and by this weekend, more of western Britain, Co. Fermanagh and Co.Tyrone also warmer. For eastern Britain. the cool breeze off the North Sea looks to subdue temperatures for east coast counties. The sun is strong at this time of year, so there is hope.
The main weather models have similar themes but highlight different areas for the showers. Looking at Thursday and Friday:
The UK starts in a col, the space between two areas of high pressure and two low pressures. Often with slack flow and a fair amount of cloud. There have been signs of a small low pressure edging towards Northern Ireland and western Britain for Thursday afternoon. The Met Office UKV is much slower to move the showers into Ireland on Thursday. There looks to still be the risk of heavy showers for western parts of the UK on Friday.
These ECM charts are a mid afternoon forecast snapshot of where the showers could be but below is 24 hour rainfall totals from the GFS model, showing more spread inland by later on Friday.
The main Jubilee celebrations include Trooping the Colour and Beacon lighting on Thursday. For those camping out or heading to grab a viewpoint early on Thursday, it does look quite cool overnight into Thursday 2nd. However, the day will warm up nicely reaching 22C, remember the sunscreen. It looks fine and dry.
Trooping the Colour in London will take place on Thursday morning. It usually takes place on the 2nd Saturday in June but has moved this year for the Jubilee. Starting at Buckingham palace then to The Mall and on to Horse Guards’ Parade. This annual event has now marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.
At 1pm there will be an impressive fly-past by the Royal Air Force. This will be visible from The Mall, to coincide with the Royal Family’s balcony appearance.
Beacons- across the UK there will be Beacons lighted on Thursday night, most at 9:45pm
Madness headline Jubilation! at Brockwell Park, Brixton and the forecast is fine, warm sunshine in the afternoon, cool by late evening. "Free drinking water points are available throughout the event. We encourage you to bring your own re-useable water bottle to refill at these points. We recommend customers prepare for all weathers.”
The English Riviera Airshow at Paignton, Devon runs from the 2nd until the 5th. It starts with the Jubilee Beacon lighting on Thursday evening, along with many such events around the UK. Beacon lighting will be between 9:30 and 10pm and looks fine for Devon.
On Friday a “nostalgic musical odyssey” for Music on the Meadows, a family event and free party at Torre Abbey Meadows, Torquay. The forecast is still a bit uncertain, with a risk of showers appearing as the afternoon goes on. It could stay dry, but don't rely on it.
For those heading to 'Times Flies' summer Jubilee party at Tramshed Cardiff with DJ Paul Oakenfold alongside Cream resident Seb Fontaine starting at 8pm and taking advantage of No Work Friday. Your journey there should be fine, but a few showers could appear overnight
In Kent, the Together Festival will take place at Mote Park, Maidstone Friday 1pm- 10pm. Currently the weather looks fine, warm sunshine but cooler in the evening.
“The weather shouldn’t affect Together Festival too much because of the time of year, however, the ground may become wet and soft, so if the weather up to and including the day of the festival is wet, we would advise wearing your wellies and waterproof jackets!”
Saturday 4th – The Derby at Epsom
There are several events at Epsom racecourse. For Thursday evening, there is a community event with beacon lighting to launch the festival. Ladies Day on Friday 3rd and the main event, on Saturday “the world’s greatest Flat race”, The Derby. The Queen is expected to attend as this is an official commemoration of the Platinum Jubilee. Temperatures should reach into the high teens and feel warm in any sunny spells but there will be a breeze from the east and the risk of heavy showers by the weekend.
A special concert to commemorate the platinum Jubilee concert in Yorkshire at Scarborough on Saturday evening. Scarborough Open Air theatre says “you cannot bring an umbrella, so please dress appropriately. The show will continue to go ahead if it rains”. Currently, it looks dry but cool, some might say chilly.
The official Royal events continue with the BBC’s “Platinum Concert from the Palace “ at Buckingham Palace til 10pm. Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow and George Ezra will share the three-stage set up with the likes of Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Mimi Webb, Sam Ryder, Jax Jones, Celeste, Nile Rodgers, Sigala and Diversity. Closing with Diana Ross and although quite warm it will be more blustery later in the day.
Sunday sees Big Jubilee Lunch events across the UK and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London. Again it looks like western Britain could see the highest temperatures, Manchester and Glasgow up to 22C and warm again for Northern Ireland.