Festivalgoers have been pictured donning ponchos and wellies in the summer rain as the Met Office issued a new yellow warning for thunderstorms and heavy showers.
The warning, now in force until 9pm on Saturday, stretches from south-west England and parts of Wales across the Midlands to the east of England.
Homeowners and businesses are warned there is a higher risk of flooding in these areas, while trains could be delayed and car journeys take longer than expected.
Some regions could see 15 to 25mm of rain in an hour, and 30mm in two to three hours, along with hail and lightning.
Revellers at Reading, Leeds and other live music events are likely to see rain this afternoon and evening as low pressure pushes eastwards, followed by heavy showers.
Umbrellas were also out in force at Lord’s in London as cricket fans turned up for day three of the second Rothesay Test match featuring England v Pakistan.
Four areas, mainly across the Midlands, are covered by Environment Agency flood alerts, meaning floods in these areas are possible.
The wetter weather comes after continued hot temperatures across the UK, which coincided with extremely dry conditions.
Festivalgoers have been pictured donning ponchos and wellies at the Leeds Festival, as the Met Office issued a new yellow warning for thunderstorms and heavy showers
Youngsters came prepared to the campsite at the Reading Festival
Friends arrive armed with their rain ponchos for Saturday at Leeds Festival
Girls frolicking in the rain during the Reading Festival at Little John’s Farm
The girls didn’t have a care in the world as they had fun in the mud
Revellers are likely to see wetter weather throughout Saturday and this evening. Pictured: The clouds were gathering at Leeds Festival today
The wetter weather comes after continued hot temperatures across the UK, which coincided with extremely dry conditions. Pictured: Festivalgoers at Reading on Saturday
Festivalgoers shelter from the rain as they walk through the muddy site
Friends hug and pose in the rain as they pose in boots and plastic ponchos
Some regions could see 15 to 25mm of rain in an hour, and 30mm in two to three hours, along with hail and lightning
Revellers at Reading, Leeds and other live music events are likely to see rain this afternoon and evening as low pressure pushes eastwards, followed by heavy showers
Reading Festival fans arrive in the rain, dragging heaving camping equipment
Thousands turned up to the famous annual music event despite the wet weather
The yellow warning, now in force until 9pm on Saturday, stretches from south-west England and parts of Wales across the Midlands to the east of England
Met Office experts have previously said the UK is on course for its hottest summer on record after five heatwaves, with temperatures of up to 38.1C recorded in London.
Festivalgoers at Reading Festival were pictured frolicking in the rain during the event, with many laughing and posing for photos as they remained in good spirits despite their outfits being drenched in mud.
Geese frontman Cameron Winter warned festivalgoers not to ‘drink the water’ on Friday as heavy rainfall seeped through the tent during their set.
Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said: ‘An area of low pressure is currently pushing eastwards across England and Wales and Northern Ireland, pushing rain across the country. That’s going to be followed by heavy showers.
‘Temperatures generally reaching the low 20s, highs of 22 to 23C.
‘It will be a different picture for Scotland even though it’s largely cloudy, there will be some brighter spells.
‘For most it’s quite a bright start tomorrow, but it won’t be long before showers bubble up.
Girls at Reading festival play in the mud as they enjoy the rainy music event
Four areas, mainly across the Midlands, are covered by Environment Agency flood alerts, meaning floods in these areas are possible
The wetter weather comes after continued hot temperatures across the UK, which coincided with extremely dry conditions
Several of the youngsters klept themselves protected from the rain in plastic pomchos
Festival-goers wear waterproof ponchos as it starts to rain during the 2026 Leeds Festival
The crowd watched Declan McKenna performing on the Grid stage during the Leeds Festival at Bramham Park
A modette maintains her stylish look on the Brighton seafront amid the rain on Saturday
Girls stepped out in mini shorts and wellies as they didn’t let the rain get them down
Crowds in the changing weather conditions at Reading Festival
Wellingon boots and plastic ponchos seemed to be the fashion at this year’s Leeds and Reading Festival
A group enjoy a punt n the River Cam in Cambridge under blankets and wearing ponchos
A Liverpool FC fan sits in the rain ahead of kick-off between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest
The rain-soaked crowd watched Catherine Garner, known professionally as Slayyyter, performing on the Grid stage during the Reading Festival
‘We will see heavy showers developing throughout the day in the north and west of the UK and some thundery weather.
‘With tomorrow being a bit more of a day of sunshine and showers, it should mean with a bit more sunshine around temperatures will be a bit higher, with highs of 20 to 23C for most and isolated areas could see 24C.
‘Monday will be a brighter day for most, quite a lot of cloud around, but also showers, more frequent in the north of the UK.
‘Temperatures may come down a touch, between 19 to 22C, maybe locally 23C.’
And wind gusts of 35 to 40mph could be seen on the south coast on Saturday, while Leeds Festival could get some gusty winds on Sunday if heavier showers hit.
