An umbrella might be one of the best items to pack this festival season– but it's unclear whether Brits will need it to protect themselves from the sun or rain.
That's because the Met Office just issued thunderstorm warnings for most of England this weekend despite the unusually hot, dry weather the UK has experienced so far this summer.
'A warm and humid airmass is moving across the country fuelling thunderstorms and heavy downpours over the coming days,' the Met Office reported on Thursday.
With temperatures expected to rise above 30C for parts of Eastern England, Brits can expect an incredibly muggy weekend.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 18, 2025
Torrential, thundery rain across parts of southeast England
Saturday 0400 - 1100
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/BVzZAcVCco
The warnings come after England experienced the driest Spring in 132 years. With hundreds of festivals lined up across the UK this summer, here's how to prepare for the different weather conditions you might be faced with.
Camping In The Rain
If you've checked the forecast and know it's going to be a wet one, you're gonna want to pack some extra gear beyond your festy fits and contraband booze.
A light pack away jacket or festival poncho and a pair of wellies are of course essential to deal with the mud-baths festivals often turn into once the rain comes down.
UK outdoor clothing brand, Trespass, recommends festival goers also bring bin bags with them as these can be used to store rubbish, separate wet and muddy items, and can even be taped over your shoes if you've found yourself caught in the rain without a pair of wellies.
When it comes to camping, it's tempting to buy the cheapest tent possible as there's a strong likelihood it will get ruined anyway. However, it's a good idea to take it out for a test run before the festival to make sure you don't wake up with water dripping on your face during the first night.
Waterproofing tent spray is a good investment to ensure the rain stays outside of your tent.
Camping In The Heat
Heatstroke, sunburn, and heat exhaustion are incredibly common at festivals where attendees spend long days out in the sun drinking alcohol.
Applying sunscreen often, wearing appropriate footwear, staying hydrated, and knowing what signs to look out for when it comes to heat exhaustion can help ensure your festival experience is a positive one.
David Monk, Associate Medical Director for St John Ambulance, said, 'If you, or a friend, start to get a headache, feel nauseous, become dizzy, confused or sweating with clammy skin, it's worth taking a bit of time out to rest in the shade and rehydrate with water.'
He explained that these symptoms can come on quickly and turn into heatstroke if not treated properly.
'So please seek medical advice from festival staff if you're concerned. They're there to help and may be able to prevent something from becoming more serious,' he added.
Try to stick to the shade where possible and carry a bottle of water at all times – especially when drinking lots of alcohol – to stop yourself from becoming dehydrated.
What To Do In A Storm
The Met Office warns festival goers to seek shelter immediately if they hear thunder rumbling.
The best places to go are in a solid building or vehicle, however, this often isn't possible at most festivals which are outdoors.
'Tents and trees are not safe. If no shelter is available, crouch low with minimal contact with the ground and avoid using metal objects or mobile phones,' they said.
'Remember: lightning can strike even after the storm seems to have passed. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before venturing out again,' they added.
