Thunderstorms are expected as August draw to a close

Forecasters are warning that thunderstorms could hit Peterborough later this week, just as thousands of people descend upon the city’s Embankment for the 2026 Peterborough Beer Festival.

The popular annual event will return to the banks of the River Nene between Tuesday, August 25 and Saturday, August 29.

Organised by CAMRA volunteers and held in large outdoor marquees on the Embankment, the festival is expected to welcome around 25,000 visitors across the week.

Forecasters are warning that thunderstorms could hit Peterborough later this week

placeholder image — Forecasters are warning that thunderstorms could hit Peterborough later this week

However, with thunderstorms forecast for Thursday (August 27), the event risks potential weather-related disruption.

From Wednesday (August 26) onwards, Peterborough looks set for several days of rain and heavy downpours at times.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Mark Sidaway, said: “While many areas will see dry and increasingly warm conditions at the start of the week, attention is turning to the potential for heavy rain and thunderstorms from Wednesday onwards.

"As warmer and more humid air moves north across the UK, there is an increasing likelihood of some heavy rain developing.

The popular annual event will return to the banks of the River Nene between Tuesday, August 25 and Saturday, August 29

“Some places could see 20 to 30mm of rain in just a few hours, while there is also the potential for higher totals where thunderstorms repeatedly affect the same locations.

“The detail of which areas will see the heaviest rainfall is still uncertain, so stay up to date with the forecast this week to keep updated on the increasing risk of impactful weather during the latter part of the week.”

When could thunderstorms hit Peterborough this week?

According to BBC Weather, thunderstorms could hit Peterborough between 6am and 9am on Thursday.

These storms will arrive from the south and push northwards over East Anglia, according to the Met Office’s rain radar.

Further heavy downpours are possible late on Thursday evening and into Friday morning (August 28).

Below is a full, week-long forecast for Peterborough using data from BBC Weather.

Monday, August 24

Highs of 20C and lows of 14C. Light cloud and a gentle breeze.

Tuesday, August 25

Highs of 22C and lows of 15C. Sunny and a moderate breeze.

Wednesday, August 26

Highs of 23C and lows of 16C. Light rain and light winds.

Thursday, August 27