Blackpool Illuminations switch-on weather forecast - what to expect tonight and whether to bring an umbrella
Everything you need to know ahead one of the biggest night’s in the Blackpool calendar.
Blackpool’s big Illuminations switch-on is set to go ahead under generally warm and mostly dry conditions tonight, although visitors could see a few showers during the evening.
Thousands of people are expected to head to Blackpool’s seafront today, Friday, September 4, for the annual Illuminations switch-on, with comedian and broadcaster Paddy McGuinness preparing to pull the famous switch. And the latest forecast suggests the weather should provide largely favourable conditions for those heading out to enjoy the celebrations.
This afternoon will bring sunny spells mixed with patches of cloud, although there is a chance of the odd shower drifting in from the north-west from time to time. Temperatures are expected to reach around 18C during the afternoon, with conditions becoming increasingly comfortable as the winds ease.
What will the weather be like when the lights come on?
As the crowds gather for tonight's celebrations, temperatures are expected to dip slightly, sitting at around 17C and then 16C as the evening progresses. The forecast for tonight is for clear spells and some patches of cloud, alongside a few well-scattered showers moving through for a time.
However, there is some good news for those planning to stay out late, with conditions expected to turn dry by dawn and breezes easing during the night. A weather map for the area is also showing no significant bands of rain, suggesting that widespread or persistent rainfall is not expected to be a major feature of the evening.
Overall, the forecast points towards a warm and mostly dry night, although visitors are advised to be prepared for the possibility of a brief shower.
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The Illuminations switch-on event is being held at the Tower Festival Headland, with the lights due to be switched on at around 9.15pm. The free event features performances from Lucy Spraggan, The Feeling and headline act Five before McGuinness takes centre stage for the big moment.
With the wind easing and temperatures remaining in the mid-teens, it could be a pleasant evening for the thousands of visitors expected to line the seafront and watch Blackpool's famous lights burst into life.
Those travelling into the resort should, however, allow extra time for their journeys. Blackpool Transport has warned of diversions and changes to services because of the expected crowds, with buses diverted from 11.30am and a split tram service operating during the switch-on event.