Britain’s sunshine will rival that of Ibiza’s this week as the nation is released from full lockdown to meet friends and family outside for the first time in months.
The UK could see record-high March temperatures as tomorrow’s ‘Happy Monday’ will see restrictions on outdoor gatherings are eased in England.
The south of the UK will be ‘very warm’, the Met Office said, with some areas in south-east England surpassing the heat in Ibiza and seeing temperatures rise to 75F (24C) by Tuesday.
The warmer and brighter weather coincides with the relaxing of England’s lockdown on Monday, when the ‘stay home’ order ends and groups of up to six people, or two households, are able to meet outside.
People enjoy the spring weather in Regent’s Park, London, ahead of restrictions easing on ‘Happy Monday’, March 27
A group of four gather in Regent’s Park London ahead of the Covid restrictions easing on Monday, with temperatures expected to reach a scorching 75F (24C) in London on Tuesday
A group do a photoshoot in Regent’s Park on Saturday ahead of the national lockdown restrictions easing on Monday
In Wales, lockdown restrictions were eased as the ‘stay local’ requirement was dropped on Saturday, with people allowed to stay in self-contained holiday accommodation.
Temperatures in March have not gone above 75F (24C) since March 29 1968, when 78F (25.6C) was recorded in Mepal in Cambridgeshire.
But the north-west of the UK could see heavy persistent rain in the first part of the week, before it moves southwards.
Last night saw strong winds and rain in areas in the north, particularly in parts of western Scotland where a yellow warning for rain is set to remain in place until 6pm on Tuesday.
The clocks may have been set forward by an hour but the sun rises when it wishes! Views of the Thames estuary, near Gravesend in Kent this morning
Pink skies before the sunrise on the Thames estuary, near Gravesend in Kent this morning
A view of the Thames estuary, near Gravesend in Kent, this morning. The coming week promises more sun for the south
Whilst the south is set for a sunny week ahead, those in the north-west can expect rain for the start of the week. Thames estuary, near Gravesend in Kent, this morning
The Super Worm Moon rising on a clear Saturday evening over Stoodley Pike, Todmorden, West Yorkshire. A supermoon occurs when the full moon nearly coincides with perigee – the point in the orbit of the moon at which it is nearest to the Earth
The Worm Moon is named for the earthworms that begin to appear in March, when the soil begins to warm up, bringing robins and other birds for the start of spring. It will appear at its largest on Sunday evening
Meanwhile parts of southern England and Wales will see mostly dry, grey and windy conditions today, although some bright or sunny spells is forecast for the South East.
Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 57.2F (14C).
Met Office forecaster, Greg Dewhurst said southerly winds along with an area of high pressure would move in on Monday.
He said: ‘Into next week large swathes of southern England and Wales will be dry with warmer temperatures than expected for this time of year, the average for March being 51-53F (11-12C).
‘The mercury could reach a high of around 18C on Monday, with Tuesday seeing highs of 75.2F (24C).
‘Much of the UK will remain dry and bright until Wednesday, while parts of Scotland will see some heavy showers.’
By Easter weekend, cold air from the north may bring another dip in temperatures, with the Met Office forecasting showers spreading to most areas.
It said temperatures are likely to be around or below average for the time of the year, with a potential for widespread overnight frosts.
The coldest Easter weekend on record was in 2013 when 10F (minus 12.5C) was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire, on Easter Sunday.
Ahead of the easing of restrictions on ‘Happy Monday’, police chiefs warned the public to stay vigilant and said next week is not the end of curbs on freedom.
Martin Hewitt, chairman of the National Police Chiefs Council, said complacency risked spreading new Covid variants and could lead to fresh rules.
Outdoor sport and recreation facilities, including golf courses, open-air swimming pools and tennis and basketball courts, will reopen from tomorrow.
It is the first significant easing of Covid restrictions since the current lockdown came into effect in early January.
People on Brighton beach on Saturday March 27 ahead of the expected warm weather spell next week as restrictions ease
The Spring sunshine brought lots of people into Beaconsfield Saturday morning for the Farmers Market. Buckinghamshire, March 27
A couple walk hand in hand in Regent’s Park, London, during England’s third national lockdown. Saturday March 27
A map showing the growth in England’s Coronavirus R Rate (Basic reproduction number)
