Summer Solstice 2016: Rain should clear in time for celebrations

Solstice: rains are expected to clear by tonight
Getty Images
Hannah Al-Othman20 June 2016

The thousands who will flock to Stonehenge tonight to welcome in the Summer Solstice should be celebrating under dry skies, forcasters say.

This morning heavy rain is expected to fall over the ancient stones, but by lunchtime this should give way to dry, but cloudy weather.

Today marks the longest day of summer, also known as the Solstice, an historically important day for many around the globe.

The Wiltshire monument is the most popular place in the UK to celebrate the longest day because the prehistoric stones align with the solstices.

The English Heritage-run site is expecting around 20,000 visitors this year, including pagans, druids and tourists.

Crowds: tens of thousands are expected to flock to the ancient stones 
AFP/Getty Images

Stonehenge, along with the rest of the south west, which is home to this week's Glastonbury festival, will see rain today, before conditions gradually improve.

After a wet start, the rain will gradually fade throughout the day today, but skies are lively to be overcast and cloudy, with maximum temperatures of 19 °C.

Any lingering rain is expected to die out as crowds gather this evening, and the cloud is expected to break and give way to clear spells, offering a glimpse of the rare strawberry moon.

The June full moon, named a strawberry moon, coinciding with the Solstice has been described as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

Later this week, some showers are expected on Wednesday, but the weather is expected to be mainly dry with sunny intervals.

A few heavy showers may develop on Friday with conditions feeling warm and humid.

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