Britain basks in 24C scorcher as temperatures just scrape below March record – but SNOW is coming on Easter Monday
BRITS basked in 24C sunshine today as temperatures just scraped below the March record.
But the barbecue weather won't last - as snow is predicted to fall over Easter weekend.
☀️ Read our UK weather live blog for the very latest news and forecasts...
The mini-heatwave won’t last long, as temperatures are predicted to take a nose dive on Thursday.
Temperatures in London are expected to drop to 15C and Good Friday is on course to be even chillier still at just 12C, as a cool front moves in from the north.
Rain is likely on Easter Sunday and there could even be snow on Easter Monday, says The Weather Outlook.
Tuesday saw the UK record its second warmest March day on record and the hottest temperature for the month in 53 years, the Met Office said.
The mercury peaked at 24.5C at Kew Gardens in west London on March 30, with St James's Park in the centre of the capital also hitting highs of 24.3C.
The figure is only slightly below the UK's hottest ever March temperature of 25.6C, recorded in 1968 at Mepal in Cambridgeshire.
Met Office forecaster Alex Burkill said it was a ";possibility" that the record temperature of 25.6C could be broken today.
The mercury spiked at 23.9C in Weybourne, north Norfolk, this afternoon - but temperatures across the south-east and London could rise higher into the evening.
Cops have banned booze in parks, and beachgoers have been told to stay away today as Brits enjoy their newfound freedom during the midweek Spring scorcher.
Hundreds of boozy students brawled with each other and peed in bushes at a park in Nottingham.
Burkill said Tuesday's temperature was "exceptionally high" for the time of year.
"It's the second warmest March day on record... whether it will beat the 25.6C, I'm not so sure," he said.
On Saturday April 3, "we can see temperatures across the UK dipping below freezing, so there's potential for quite a widespread frost.
"That will be the same for the other nights over the Easter period," added Gaze.
By Easter Sunday much colder Arctic air is likely to be pushing southwards and it could reach all areas on Bank Holiday Monday, he said.
"In terms of snow, that's a big question of course. It will become clearer two or three days before Easter weekend, but computer models are currently showing the potential."
Pointing to one weather forecast model, Brian noted it showed: "There is snow across Scotland, parts of higher ground in north England and Wales - even down to southwest England.
"So if that is correct, some people will be seeing snow on Easter Sunday."
"We could see some sleet or snow falling in the showers as they become heavy and prolonged," reports Gaze.
As the temperatures drop during these showers, "there's increasing likelihood of them turning to sleet or snow, even down to low levels", he added.
Disease expert Dr Bharat Pankhania, a senior clinical lecturer at Exeter University, has warned that Brits must keep their circles small in the continued fight against Covid.
He added that caution and care are needed, as people brace for the hottest day of the year so far.
Dr Pankhania told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “People have been kept in their homes for a very long time and there is of course a build-up of frustration.
“What is important is that people do not extend their circle of friends extensively because this is a human-to-human spread of infection.
“What we need to do is keep your circle of friends small and tight.”
He added: “The expression ‘slippery slope’ is very apt, especially when it is aided by alcohol.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"Because what happens when you have a drink and then another one, in the background of a lot of frustration of having been in restrictions, you drop your guard and when you drop your guard and you go indoors with poor ventilation that is where the dangers are.
“Caution, care is needed."