Expert issues Glastonbury weather warning to revellers as heatwave sweeps the UK

An expert has shared a word of caution for festival-goers as tens of thousands of revellers descend on Glastonbury during a scorching heatwave. 

As the world-famous festival kicks off, more than 200,000 revellers headed to Pilton in Somerset today to secure a prime camping location. 

This year’s event will see headline performances from global stars including pop singer Dua Lipa, British rock band Coldplay and American soul singer Sza, while Canadian country star Shania Twain will play the coveted legends slot.

Campers arriving at the 900-acre site can expect ‘mostly warm, dry and settled’ weather for the next five days but scattered showers could begin from day one and last until the end of the weekend, according to the Met Office. 

However, with temperatures set to reach 31 degrees in parts of the UK today, revellers are being cautioned to stay safe at the festival site, which is known for its lack of shelter during extreme weather. 

As the world-famous festival kicks off, more than 200,000 revellers headed to Pilton in Somerset today to secure a prime camping location

Yesterday, the hottest temperature recorded was in Herstmonceux, near Eastbourne, in East Sussex where temperatures provisionally hit 29.4C – the hottest weather recorded in the UK so far this year. 

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow health alerts across most of England while NHS leaders have said the service is expecting ‘major disruption.’ 

Jim Dale, founder of British Weather Services and co-author of Surviving Extreme Weather, has issued advice for festivalgoers who may be at risk of prolonged sun exposure over the next two days. 

Speaking to FEMAIL, the meteorological consultant said: ‘Glastonbury is notorious for its lack of shelter. It’s in the open and you’re exposed to the direct sun.

‘There are massive precautions to take for those attending Glastonbury and elsewhere. Stay out of the midday sun and keep hydrated.’

The expert urges revellers to keep water on them at all times, but also suggests that hydro drinks, which contain magnesium, serve as an additional hydrating beverage. 

He added: ‘It’s important to wear wide-brimmed hats, sun cream, and sunglasses to stop the sun’s glare, but advisable to keep arms and legs covered and opt to wear non-clingy clothing made of linen, cotton or silk.’

Sharing a number of tips for festivalgoers to keep cool, Dale reveals that an ice-cooler can be utilised for much more than storing alcohol and food.

Jim Dale, founder of British Weather Services and co-author of Surviving Extreme Weather, has issued advice for festivalgoers who may be at risk of prolonged sun exposure at Glastonbury

Speaking to FEMAIL, the meteorological consultant said: ‘Glastonbury is notorious for its lack of shelter. It’s in the open and you’re exposed to the direct sun.’

The expert said: ‘It’s important to wear wide-brimmed hats, sun cream, and sunglasses to stop the sun’s glare, but advisable to keep arms and legs covered and opt to wear non-clingy clothing made of linen, cotton or silk’

He said: ‘If you have a picnic bag or cool bag, keep some flannels in there and place them on your neck or face to avoid overheating. It’s helpful to also take breaks from the sun in tents, or even toilets, for ten minutes.’

Should revellers begin to feel overwhelmingly hot, Dale says: ‘It’s common to feel nausea, tiredness or headache when you get heatstroke, so pay attention to excessive sweating as it’s normally followed up by these symptoms.

‘If you start excessively sweating or feel hot, get out of the sun immediately and go to a first-aid tent.’

The expert added: ‘It will turn fresher over the days, by the time we get to Friday, it will be coming off the boil. But, even if it’s 21 degrees – at this time of the year, the sun still poses a threat. Use your common sense stay out of the sun where you can.’ 

It comes as a Cavalry Guard is believed to have fainted on the Mall in London during rehearsals on Monday amid the arrival of the first heatwave of the year.