The Met Office have confirmed that August this year was the worst for sunny festivals in the UK since records began in 1929. Last month there were just 105.5 hours of sunshine, far less than the average for the month of 165.1 hours, and this August was also the fifth wettest on record with 139.8mm (5.5in) of rain falling, causing the return of floods in some areas.
Those festival goers hoping for an improvement this weekend are going to be out of luck as severe weather warnings have been issued for this weekend. Storms are about to deliver a week of torrential downpours with some areas predicted to face a third of a month's rainfall in just a few hours.
Wales and the south-west are anticipated to be worst hit by Friday's downpours with the rest of the country preparing itself for days of heavy rain. Festival goers heading for Bestival should be prepared for a drenching in torrential downpours, the Metcheck prediction (here) gives a good indication of the conditions this weekend. The Environment Agency already has three flood watches in place for the south and are apprehensive that conditions will get worse.
The Met Office predicts that nearly an inch-and-a-half of rain will fall in some areas, it will be especially heavy on Friday and windy in most places. Predictions are that it will remain unsettled for the rest of the week with it due to get dry and brighter after the weekend.
The festivals due to happen a week later in September have a greatly improved outlook, for instance Waveform (here) and End Of The Road (here) are being forecast much drier conditions.
The musical line-up for Bestival includes My Bloody Valentine who are the Friday night headliner (an English festival exclusive), with Amy Winehouse headlining Saturday, and Underworld headlining Sunday. Also playing are Aphex Twin (English Festival Exclusive), The Breeders, CSS, George Clinton And Funkadelic/Parliament, Gary Numan, The Human League (exclusive two performance concert), Pendulum (live), 808 State (live), Foals, Lee Scratch Perry, Baaba Mal, The Wedding Present, Dan le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip, and many more. For the full details (as available) click here.
As well as the music, Bestival has the world's biggest fancy dress party, the Bollywood cocktail bar, Jestival comedy tent, a farmers market, secret stages, kids area, Morris dancing, magical moments and more, which makes this affair one of the most colourful events on the festival calendar.
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