This year's Bristol International Balloon Fiesta could be in for some unsettled weather.

The Met Office forecast for the South West moves from mostly dry this weekend to a mix of sunshine and showers this week.

By the start of the world famous fiesta at the end of the week, strong winds are due to arrive followed by rain.

Here is the forecast for the South West from tonight (August 3, 2019)

People have fun at the fiesta whatever the weather


Dry and fairly clear through the evening. Cloud will thicken from the west, bringing a few showers across parts of Cornwall through the early hours.

Fairly cool in rural spots. Minimum temperature 11 °C.


A band of thicker cloud and the odd shower will clear eastwards through the morning.

Skies will then brighten although scattered showers are possible, mainly over higher ground. Maximum temperature 23 °C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Remaining changeable.

There will be a mixture of sunshine and showers, some of which will be heavy and thundery, with more persistent rain possible at times. Near normal temperatures throughout.

Balloons take to the skies over Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge
Balloons take to the skies over Bristol Clifton Suspension Bridge


Thursday 8 Aug - Saturday 17 Aug

Thursday will see a mixture sunshine and showers, heavy and possibly thundery at times, especially across northern parts of the UK.

Friday will be largely dry with warm sunny spells, but still a few showers possible.

Later on Friday, we will probably see rain and strong winds arriving into the South West, gradually spreading north-eastwards, which will be followed by heavy showers and humid conditions by the weekend.


Into the following week an area of low pressure stays close to the UK, which is likely to maintain the unsettled conditions, with further spells of rain followed by scattered heavy and possibly thundery showers, with brief drier interludes.

Temperatures will mostly be around average, but brief warm or very warm weather may develop across the south and South East at times.