Coronation weekend weather forecast: Thunderstorms to sweep UK as Charles is crowned king – but there’s a chance of sun

THUNDERSTORMS are set to sweep across the UK for most of the coronation weekend, according to forecasters.

Brits planning to celebrate the King's coronation outdoors should take a brolly this bank holiday, says the Met Office.

And that has shown to be good advice as heavy rain has already started to fall in the capital.

Today was set to be a "day of sunshine and showers" and tourists who have travelled to London for the coronation celebrations have certainly seen the showers.

Images from around the city show police officers sheltering from the downpour at Westminster Abbey, and tourists pulling out their waterproof jackets and umbrellas as the heavy rain drenched the streets.

There is also the possibility that some thunder, lightning and hail will also affect most parts of the UK.

This is due to an area of low pressure that is sweeping in from the southwest and making its way north eastwards.

The weather front will result in changeable conditions, cloud, and cool onshore breezes in the northeast, with temperatures struggling under the cloud.

Further south looks more promising as "21C is possible under more prolonged sunshine" says the Met Office website.

Showers will affect most parts of the UK today but will be more persistent in parts of eastern Scotland.

Highs of 18-20C are expected across much of England and Wales today.

The day of the coronation, Saturday, is not looking much brighter and is forecast to be another cloudy, wet day for many.

The coronation ceremony of King Charles takes place at Westminister Abbey and will be Britain's first coronation in seven decades since Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953.

The two-hour ceremony is set to take place at 11 am with the key moment taking place at midday, when the King is crowned.

People up and down the country will be watching the historic event, with many having street parties and garden parties to celebrate.

But the weather could be set to put a dampener on some of the party plans.

Met Office deputy chief forecaster Steven Keates said: "A further area of rain is expected to move into southwest England early on Saturday, moving east and north through the day with some heavy bursts at times.

This is likely to bring some rain to London by around lunchtime. 

People in Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland will see some sunshine among the showers throughout the day before more "persistent rain" moves northwards overnight.

Temperatures on Saturday will feel humid, especially in the south with highs of 17C possible in London.

The Met Office forecast for Sunday is once again predominately rain, with "heavy, possibly thundery" showers developing across parts of central, eastern and southern England.

Northeast England and eastern Scotland is also set to be grey and wet.

Northern Ireland, Wales, western Scotland and southwest England are expected to see the driest and brightest weather over the weekend.

Bank holiday Monday will see eastern areas of the country start to dry out, but rain is set to continue in most other areas.

Winds are expected to be "fresh and strong" with average temperatures, heavy rain will be followed by sunshine and scattered showers.