Glastonbury Festival Weather: A look back at historic extremes

Author: Press Office

As anticipation builds for this year’s Glastonbury Festival, many festivalgoers are already wondering what the weather might have in store.

While it’s still too early for an accurate forecast as the festival is still two weeks away, historical weather records offer a fascinating glimpse into the range of conditions that have graced Worthy Farm over the years.

Set to take place from Wednesday, June 25th to Sunday, June 29th, Glastonbury Festival has seen its fair share of weather extremes over the years. The hottest day on record occurred in 2017, when temperatures soared to a sweltering 31.2°C at Rodney Stoke. In contrast, the chilliest night was recorded in 1987, with a minimum temperature of just 4.2°C at Yeovilton. More recently, 2023 brought the warmest night on record, with temperatures not dipping below 17.7°C at Westonzoyland.

READ MORE: What role does convection play in weather?

Rain is often a talking point at Glastonbury, and the wettest day came in 2007, when 60.1mm of rain fell at Rodney Stoke, turning parts of the site into a muddy quagmire that has since become part of festival folklore. On the other end of the spectrum, the sunniest day was recorded in 1989, with 15.6 hours of sunshine at Yeovilton, offering a perfect backdrop for music and celebration.

Wind has also made its presence felt, with the highest gusts, 41mph, recorded at Yeovilton in both 1985 and 1987. And speaking of 1985, that year also saw the lowest maximum temperature for the festival, with a daytime high of just 14°C at Rodney Stoke.

READ MORE: What is the jet stream and how does it affect our weather?

While we can’t yet say whether this year’s festival will be bathed in sunshine or soaked in showers, one thing is certain: Glastonbury’s weather is as legendary as the festival itself. Keep an eye on the Met Office for updates as the event draws nearer.

Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.

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