On Saturday, the Met Office forecasts cloudy and rainy weather in London, which could impede pilots’ ability to fly safely.
London was soaked a day before the King’s coronation, threatening a flypast.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston of the Royal Air Force (RAF) stated that it is “50/50” whether the flypast will occur as planned, with the final decision to be made just one or two hours before its scheduled start time.
Large portions of the United Kingdom are expected to experience a “cloudy, wet day” on Saturday, with rain falling in London “around lunchtime” and possibly compromising the ability of pilots to fly safely.
Following the ceremony, more than sixty aircraft from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, including the Red Arrows, will fly over the Mall and Buckingham Palace at approximately 2.15 p.m.
The Royal Family will watch the six-minute flypast from the palace balcony if it happens.
However, the RAF has stated that low clouds and precipitation could result in cancellation.
After pedestrians and royal supporters were caught in a heavy downpour in Westminster on Friday, the city received a taste of what the historic event will be like.
Rainstorm outbreaks
Met Office meteorologist Alex Deakin predicted “rain outbreaks in London beginning at 8 a.m.” on Saturday, adding that it won’t be “too heavy… it’ll be a bit grey, damp, and drizzly.
He added, “It won’t rain all morning, just intermittently with some drizzle. It may cease for a half-hour or so and then return, etc.
It will likely continue to be dreary until the afternoon, when it may become a little brighter. However, the majority of the day will be cloudy.
Sir Michael stated, “The forecast for the weather is not promising, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”
“We must ensure our safety and avoid taking unwarranted risks”.
Rain and low cloud will prevent transmission. We’ll decide weather one or two hours before the event.
“The odds are currently 50/50, but we have many options; a decision will be made; at this point, we’re hoping for the best.”
peaks of 17C
The King and Queen Consort will leave Buckingham Palace at 10:20 a.m. under light rain and wind.
Afternoon highs will reach 17 degrees Celsius, which is about average for this time of year.
After Westminster Abbey, the King and Queen Consort will enter Buckingham Palace through the central arch at 1:33 p.m.
Mr. Deakin added, “All the different aircraft have different cloud-based criteria, so it’s a decision for the RAF. But the afternoon appears a bit brighter than the morning.”
“The cloud cover will be a little thicker and there is a greater chance of a dry spell. But the chances of sunny weather are virtually nil and there is a 70% chance of precipitation at that time.”
The latest weather information will be obtained from both the Met Office and our helicopters conducting weather checks before Saturday’s primary flypast, according to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson.
“The flypast will proceed as planned if conditions permit. If not, there are options for reducing the number of aircraft, with cancellation as the final option.”
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin, the Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, or the aircraft pilots can approve the event.
There will be a “north-south” divide across the United Kingdom, with predominantly grey and damp conditions in the Midlands, Wales, and southern England, and predominantly dry conditions in northern England until later in the day.
Northern Ireland and Scotland will have sunshine and heavy showers, with Highland highs of 19 degrees Celsius.
