Weather Forecast for London for This Weekend’s Royal Coronation

Posted: May 5, 2023 9:30 am

It is a big weekend on tap for the United Kingdom with the coronation of King Charles III. The big event is scheduled for Saturday at Westminster Abbey in London.

Royal watchers know that a coronation is an event that may only come around once in a lifetime. It has been nearly 70 years since the coronation of King Charles’ mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Although the actual coronation is held indoors, there are a variety of ceremonies and events throughout the kingdom that will take place outside. Will the weather cooperate with all of the festivities? Here is the forecast for this corner of the globe.

Cool and Rainy Weather in the Forecast for Coronation Weekend

Unfortunately for those hoping for pleasant weather to line the coronation route, the United Kingdom is bracing for a parade of storms over the next few days.

Revelers will want to be prepared for an unsettled weather pattern. Be sure to pack an umbrella and a rain jacket if headed outdoors to take part in the many events planned all across the country.

The first big event of the weekend is known as “The King’s Procession,” when the king and the queen consort travel from Buckingham Palace along the streets of London to the final destination of Westminster Abbey.

This procession will happen mid-morning Saturday, just ahead of the two-hour coronation that is scheduled to start at 11 am local time.

Thousands of people are predicted to come out and line the processional route to catch the king and the queen consort on their way to the historic event. You can expect temperatures to hover in the low 50s during the time of the processional.

The afternoon high will barely crack the 60-degree mark in London. Real feel temperatures will trend slightly lower because of the cloudy conditions and presence of rain showers.

The greatest chance of rain will be in an area located to the southwest of the city and the primary festivities.

Do not rule out the chance of thunderstorms in this zone throughout the day. As a result, local officials are warning spectators along the processional route to keep an eye on any developing weather conditions.

There will be another processional after the coronation when the king and the queen consort make their way back to Buckingham Palace. The culmination of “The Coronation Procession” is the appearance by the royal family out on the palace balcony.

The area surrounding the palace grounds will be packed with spectators wanting a glimpse of the family waving on the balcony and taking in the splendor.

Forecast for Sunday and Monday Events Much of the Same

Sunday’s events include the Coronation Big Lunch and the much-anticipated Coronation Concert. The Coronation Big Lunch encourages people all over the United Kingdom to gather with friends and family to share in the special occasion.

Many of these lunch events will inevitably be held outdoors.

Unsettled weather across the region on Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening will put some of these outdoor plans in flux. It is a good idea to have a backup plan if your lunch plans are outdoors.

The good news is that the temperature is expected to inch up slightly on Sunday when compared to Saturday. In addition, forecasters are calling for a bit more sunshine to make its way out on Sunday. High temperatures will settle in the mid 60s in and around London on Sunday.

The mercury is predicted to fall into the low 60s or upper 50s by the time the Coronation Concert begins in the evening hours.

About 20,000 people are expected to gather outside Windsor Castle to hear a number of popular musical artists perform. Performances by Andrew Bocelli, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie are all on the lineup schedule.

Monday marks the last day of the official activities surrounding the crowning of a new monarch. The official bank holiday is known as The Big Help Out, a day that encourages citizens to volunteer and give back to their communities. Unfortunately, the rainy and cool weather is forecast to continue through this day as well.

Want to watch the Royal Coronation live? Watch it on CNN starting live at 5am ET (4am CT) or catch it on this YouTube channel.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.

Recent Posts