Bonfire Night weather: Rain to hit fireworks displays

A band of rain is expected to affect the east of the UK on Thursday evening

Bonfire Night in London is expected to be hit by rain. A fireworks display in London in 2014. (Rex Features)

Those planning on attending Bonfire Night displays in the east of the UK on Thursday evening stand a chance of getting soaked, as spells of heavy rain are expected.

“There definitely is going to be some rain – that we can be very certain about," said Emma Sharples, a meteorologist from the Met Office.

But she dispelled reports that gale force winds would also batter the nation as they gathered to watch the fireworks.

The band of rain, aligned north to south, will spread from the west across the country as Thursday progresses.

By about 6pm the heaviest part of the rain is likely to be in the east of the country, possibly affecting the Western Isles, the east of Scotland, Cumbria, Leeds, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, East Anglia and the south-east including London and the home counties.

The rain is not expected to clear until after 9pm.

But Ms Sharples said there was a chance it could dry up quicker so it was worth keeping an “eye on the forecast”.

Those venturing out on Thursday evening need not worry about wrapping up in too many layers though, as the weather will still be warm.

Ms Sharples predicted temperatures of around nine to 12 degrees for the whole country, with the slightly cooler weather being in the west where the rain had cleared.

Some windy weather is expected on Friday and across the weekend. It is likely to be quite unsettled with “some drier, brighter spells... and bands of rain crossing the country".