Coronation 2023: London weather for the bank holiday weekend, May 5 to 8

“Your Highness, I’m afraid it’s looking a bit iffy,” is how the news might be broken to King Charles as he looks forward to his big weekend.

With a bit of luck the thundery weather expected in London and the South East on Friday (May 5) will be over by the weekend.

On Saturday (May 6), the day of the crowning, low cloud is expected to lift in the morning, leaving sunny spells and showers. A high of 16°C is currently forecast for Saturday, though Sunday could be warmer.

Cloud and rain could arrive on Saturday evening, with possible thundery showers on Sunday.

Monday could be cloudy with outbreaks of rain Monday

The Met Office

The Met Office said: “The weather across the UK looks unsettled today, with showers or longer spells of rain for many. Some heavy, thundery downpours are expected on Friday and Sunday.

“An area of low pressure will move north eastwards across the UK, heralding a move to more changeable conditions from the southwest. It will remain mainly dry in the north and east whilst outbreaks of rain will affect the southwest. Temperatures will struggle under the cloud and cool onshore breeze in the northeast, but further south 21°C is possible under more prolonged sunshine.

“Friday will be a day of sunshine and showers, some of the showers could be heavy and slow moving at times with some thunder, lightning and hail. The showers will affect most parts of the UK, including London, with some more persistent rain affecting parts of eastern Scotland. Highs of 18-20°C are expected across much of England and Wales.”

Weather over the weekend

Saturday is forecast to be cloudy and wet for many across the UK. Showers are likely to develop in central, eastern, and northern areas, as well as across Northern Ireland, but are not expected to be as intense or as heavy as those on Friday.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said: “A further area of rain is expected to move into southwest England early on Saturday, moving east and north through the day with some heavy bursts at times. This is likely to bring some rain to London by around lunchtime. Further north in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland it will be a day of sunshine and showers before the more persistent rain moves northwards overnight. It will feel humid, especially in the south, with highs of 17°C possible in London.”

Past Coronations

According to Met Office data, the temperature reached 17°C for the Coronation of George V in 1911, but just 11.8°C for Elizabeth II in 1953. George V also enjoyed very little rain, whereas 8.2mm was recorded for George VI in 1937.