Showers halt play at Wimbledon on Tuesday but better weather to come

Rain saw play suspended at Wimbledon on Tuesday afternoon, but temperatures could hit 30C later this week.

The Princess of Wales took shelter under an umbrella as showers saw play suspended at Wimbledon on Tuesday, but tennis-goers can expect better weather later this week.

Kate watched Britain’s Katie Boulter face off against Australian Daria Saville on court 18 before showers halted play shortly after midday.

The Met Office said 20-30mm of rain could fall over a two-to-six-hour period on Tuesday as a “heavy band of rain” was due to pass over the championships at around 5pm.

Ellie Wilson, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said Wimbledon attendees should “pack a raincoat and umbrella”.

She added: “Be prepared for wet weather that may cause disruption to some matches, particularly some outdoor matches late this afternoon into this evening.”

However, those attending Wimbledon later this week can expect better weather.

“On Wednesday there’ll be some early sunshine through the morning, and some scattered out through the day, and there could be some scattered showers through the afternoon,” Ms Wilson said.

“At the moment, it is meant to be quite light and quite scattered, so there could just be one or two showers around.

“It should be a much drier day than today (Tuesday) with a bit more in the way of sunshine, and feeling a lot warmer as well, with highs around 22C.”

She added: “On Thursday, generally, a dry day again, I wouldn’t rule out the odd chance of a shower, but I think there will be less showers around than Wednesday.

“There should be some sunny spells around and temperatures … in the low 20s.

“Friday is looking pretty similar, perhaps a bit more in the way of sunshine, generally quite dry, feeling quite a lot warmer as well.

“We could see temperatures reaching into the high 20s, perhaps even reaching 30C.”