Reading Festival officially kicked off yesterday, but Brits were faced with torrential rain for the opening day. Thousands of attendees travelled to the Berkshire site, only to be met with plenty of mud after a downpour.
Muddy conditions across the site
Brits have been faced with months of dry weather, with this recent predicted rain and thunderstorms set to cause bouts of flash flooding around the country. While the Reading Festival site is not yet flooded, pictures from the morning of the second day show puddles gathered on the camping grounds and communal walkways.
Following a three-day soaking, leaving dozens of homes battered by flood water, the Met Office has predicted the rain will continue throughout the weekend. It appears that tents have also been leaking, with several youngsters met with soggy conditions.
Performers and fans endure the weather
Musicians have been playing to soaked crowds wearing wellies to keep their feet dry. Rapper Skepta donned a green jacket with a hood to keep himself dry during his set as rain could be seen on stage. Strong winds have also seen tents being blown out of the wet ground. It appears that most attendees have only a clear plastic poncho to keep them dry.
Social media reaction
Some social media users have been sharing videos from the festival, with one user named Ali.x.uk sharing a TikTok video showing several downtrodden attendees dragging bags through thick mud in the rain. Users were quick to question whether it was worth going, with one commenting: "This cannot be fun." Another noted: "It hasn't rained a lick in four months... the minute Reading Fest opens, the heavens also open." A third joked: "Can always rely on Reading Festival to end a drought."
Outlook for the weekend
Rain is expected to continue through the next couple of days, with the sun said to return on Monday as revellers head home. From Monday, temperatures will reach around 21 degrees Celsius, with cloud and sun expected through most of the day in Reading. Warm weather should be returning, however, as the GFS weather model shows temperatures possibly rising to 28C again in southern and western England on September 5, with 28C highs on the cards more widely – as far north as Yorkshire – on September 6.
