The short answer
A good BBQ day needs a dry window of at least 2 hours during lunchtime or evening, wind that doesn't affect flame control or guest comfort, a temperature above about 10°C, and no storm or lightning risk. The checker looks at all of these factors for your specific location.
✅ GO
- Dry lunch or evening window
- Wind below 25 mph
- Temperature above 10°C
- No storm or lightning risk
- Comfortable for guests outside
⚠️ CAUTION
- Light showers possible
- Wind may affect cooking
- Cools quickly in the evening
- May need a covered area
- Marginal temperature
⛔ WARNING
- Rain likely during BBQ window
- Thunder or lightning risk
- Dangerous gusts forecast
- Heavy storms expected
- Unsafe outdoor cooking conditions
What the checker looks for
Unlike a standard weather forecast, the BBQ checker focuses specifically on the lunchtime and evening window (roughly midday to 9pm) — the hours when you would actually be cooking and eating outdoors. A morning forecast of rain followed by a clear, warm afternoon would still come back as GO, because the relevant window is suitable.
It checks four main factors: rain probability in the cooking window, maximum wind speed and gusts, temperature during the outdoor hours, and whether any storm or lightning codes appear in the forecast data. Storm signals trigger a WARNING regardless of other conditions.
Wind: the most underrated BBQ weather factor
Rain is the obvious BBQ enemy, but wind causes more problems than most people expect. Above about 20–25 mph, wind affects charcoal and gas BBQs differently but both badly. Charcoal BBQs burn faster and hotter on the windward side, making temperature control difficult and increasing fire risk from flying sparks. Gas flames can be blown out or burn unevenly, affecting cooking times and food safety.
Wind also makes the experience miserable for guests. A 25 mph breeze on a June evening drops the feel-like temperature significantly, blows napkins and plates around, and makes conversation difficult. If the forecast shows gusts above 35 mph, postponing is the right call.
If it is slightly windier than ideal, positioning the BBQ with a wall, fence or hedge as a windbreak helps both safety and cooking performance.
Safety: Never move a lit BBQ indoors or into an enclosed space — including garages, sheds, tents or conservatories — to escape rain or wind. Carbon monoxide from burning charcoal is lethal in enclosed spaces. If conditions turn, extinguish the coals and move inside.
Rain: how much is too much for a BBQ
Light drizzle can be managed with a covered outdoor eating area, but it affects the cooking experience significantly. Charcoal struggles to maintain temperature in rain, taking longer to heat and losing heat faster. Heavy rain during the cooking window is a strong reason to postpone — it is not just uncomfortable but affects food safety if cooking times are extended unexpectedly.
The checker looks at rain probability across the cooking window. A forecast showing 60% or higher rain probability in the afternoon or evening is scored as CAUTION or NO-GO depending on other factors. A 20–30% probability with a dry period in the forecast may still show GO with an appropriate recommendation to monitor conditions.
Temperature: what feels good for a UK BBQ
Most UK BBQs take place between May and September, but late April and early October can produce excellent days. The checker uses 10°C as its lower temperature threshold for a GO result. In practice, many people are comfortable eating outside at 14–16°C with light clothing on a still, sunny afternoon.
In summer, very high temperatures (above 32–33°C) are also flagged as CAUTION — extreme heat combined with a hot BBQ is uncomfortable and increases the risk of food spoiling quickly between cooking and eating. The checker notes this as a high-heat flag for mid-afternoon cooking.
Ready to check whether today looks good for a BBQ in your area?
Check local BBQ weather →Planning for the weekend
The checker also covers tomorrow and the weekend — useful for planning whether Saturday or Sunday looks like the better option. The weekend view compares both days and highlights which has the better cooking window, letting you decide which day to buy the food for.
UK weekend weather is notoriously changeable, so checking on Friday evening or Saturday morning gives the most reliable result. Forecasts more than 48 hours out carry more uncertainty — the checker will show a result but the confidence is lower.
Frequently asked questions
How windy is too windy for a BBQ?
Above about 25 mph, wind makes charcoal and gas BBQs difficult to control and uncomfortable for guests. Gusts above 35–40 mph can be dangerous, scattering sparks and blowing out gas flames unexpectedly. If it feels blustery enough to knock over garden furniture, it is too windy.
Can I BBQ if light rain is forecast?
Manageable with a good covered outdoor area, but charcoal performance suffers and cooking takes longer. The checker will usually return CAUTION rather than a full GO in these conditions. If rain probability is high, postponing gives a better result all round.
Is it safe to BBQ if there is a thunderstorm warning?
No. The checker returns WARNING when any storm or lightning signals appear. Outdoor cooking with an open flame during a thunderstorm is dangerous. Do not move a lit BBQ indoors or into a tent or garage.
What is the best time of day for a UK BBQ?
Early evening, around 5–8pm, is usually the most popular window. Temperatures are warm, the sun is lower and the day has had time to dry out from morning weather. Late afternoon showers are common in summer, so checking the hourly forecast is useful.
Should I BBQ today or wait until the weekend?
Use the weekend option in the checker to compare today and the upcoming weekend. It shows the best cooking window for each day so you can see which looks most promising.
Related weather checks
More UK outdoor activity checks