Reading and Leeds Festival 2026 has been hit with weather warnings as thousands of revellers arrive at Bramham Park in Leeds and Richfield Avenue in Reading. The UK is currently being battered by rain, with a month's worth of rainfall predicted to hit parts of the country within hours.
Flood Alerts and Regional Warnings
Various regions across the UK are facing flood alerts, including Yorkshire, until 10 pm this evening. East Anglia, Lincolnshire, Essex and Kent will fall under a similar warning from 5pm today until 7am tomorrow morning.
The Met Office states that Reading Festival is expected to "experience a notably unsettled few days." They add: "The forecast points to heavy showers and thunderstorms possibly developing with warm and humid air helping to fuel some intense downpours."
Leeds Festival Forecast
For Leeds, festivalgoers can expect very similar weather. The Met Office says: "Low pressure moving in from the south-west is forecast to bring an increased risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms."
"Although temperatures should remain a little above average, any warm spells are likely to be interrupted by frequent showers and the potential for locally torrential downpours. Humidity levels are also expected as the weekend approaches."
Official Safety Warning
Earlier today, Reading and Leeds bosses took to social media to issue a warning to those already on site and in the camping fields. They said: "There will be a thunderstorm in Leeds today. Please take cover where you can including in your camping tents and avoid sheltering under trees."
The Met Office said of the band of weather at Leeds: "A broad band of thunderstorms and heavy rain will move north across England and Wales on Thursday, perhaps becoming slow-moving in the afternoon and evening. Accumulations of 20-30 mm in an hour are possible locally, while 30 to 40 mm can be expected fairly widely and up to 50 mm in a 12-hour period in places."
"There is a small chance that some places may see more than 50 mm in three hours and more than 75 mm through 12 hours, especially over east-facing high ground. Lightning and hail of 1-2 cm will also be hazards."
Festival Advice and Headliners
Those in attendance have been advised to check the weather forecast before travelling to the sites and ensure they are fully prepared. People are encouraged to take a waterproof jacket, suitable footwear and warmer clothing as the nights become chilly.
This year, headliners Charli XCX, Fontaines D.C., Dave, Florence + The Machine, Raye, and Chase & Status will be taking to the stages across the weekend, joined by some of the best names in music and the top emerging artists, including Villanelle, Arkayla, Alex Spencer and The Lilacs.
