Hottest March day ever on the cards today before snow hits on Easter weekend

Copyright Ben Lack Photography Ltd Thousands fill Hyde Park in Leeds, West Yorkshire this afternoon as warm temperatures hit much of the country. Pic Ben Lack 07970 850611 ??150 minimum use, irrespective of any previous use. ??50 for internet use, irrespective of any previous use.
Hyde Park in Leeds was rammed with people yesterday (Picture: Ben Lack/YappApp)

The UK is set to bask in the hottest March day on record with temperatures predicted to hit 25C.

But enjoy the sun while you can as the mercury will start to drop from tomorrow, and some regions could even see snow at the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Brits have certainly been enjoying their new found lockdown freedoms, descending on beaches and green spaces in their thousands.

The easing of coronavirus rules on Monday means groups of up to six, or two households, are now able to socialise outside and in gardens, while outdoor sports facilities can reopen.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkhill said it was a ‘possibility’ that Wednesday’s temperatures could surpass the March record of 25.6C, set in 1968 at Mepal in Cambridgeshire.

It comes as the mercury peaked at 24.5C at Kew Gardens in west London on Tuesday – the hottest March day in 53 years.

But Health Secretary Matt Hancock issued a warning to Britons not to ‘blow it’ amid the good weather.

He tweeted: ‘Let’s enjoy the sun but let’s do it safely. We have come so far, don’t blow it now.’

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Sunbathers enjoy the beach as a spell of hot weather coincides with lockdown restrictions being eased on March 30, 2021 in Brighton, England. Forecasters are predicting temperatures of 22C (72F), and with the easing of coronavirus lockdown rules many people will be heading for the outdoors. (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
Sun loungers were the order of the day (Picture: Karwai Tang/Getty)
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 30: Sunbathers enjoy the beach as a spell of hot weather coincides with lockdown restrictions being eased on March 30, 2021 in Brighton, England. Forecasters are predicting temperatures of 22C (72F), and with the easing of coronavirus lockdown rules many people will be heading for the outdoors. (Photo by Karwai Tang/Getty Images)
Hundreds headed to Brighton Beach beach yesterday (Picture: Karwai Tang/Getty)

His comment comes after the Prime Minister said he hoped people would take advantage of the ‘beautiful weather’ to play sport or exercise, while also emphasising the country should still ‘proceed with caution’.

Mr Burkill said: ‘Temperatures could be a touch higher tomorrow (Wednesday) than they were today. Whether it will beat the 25.6C, I’m not so sure. It’s on a knife-edge.’

‘It’s not out of the question, but I’m not expecting it to. It’s a possibility.’

Temperatures are forecast to hit 24C to 25C with the highest figures expected around London.

The Met Office earlier tweeted there would be ‘exceptional warmth’ and ‘massive’ temperature contrasts as the month comes to a close.

Mr Burkill said: ‘The warmth is going to be very widespread across the bulk of England and Wales.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Parry/REX (11837638ab) Beachgoers enjoy the sun in Southend-on-Sea as a mini heatwave hits the south east of the UK, coinciding with the easing of England's lockdown restrictions allowing groups of up to 6 people to meet outdoors. Seasonal weather, Southend-on-Sea, UK - 30 Mar 2021
Groups of up to six people are now allowed to meet outdoors (Picture: David Parry/Rex)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Parry/REX (11837638x) Beachgoers enjoy the sun in Southend-on-Sea as a mini heatwave hits the south east of the UK, coinciding with the easing of England's lockdown restrictions allowing groups of up to 6 people to meet outdoors. Seasonal weather, Southend-on-Sea, UK - 30 Mar 2021
Brits soak up the sun in Southend-on-Sea (Picture: David Parry/Rex)

‘Northern Ireland and many parts of Scotland will be cooler by tomorrow, so a little bit fresher.

‘For most, it will be largely sunny, with a few bits of fair-weather cloud in England and Wales.

‘In Northern Ireland and Scotland, it will be cloudier with a band of rain edging its way southwards.’

Temperatures are forecast to drop in the east of England from Thursday, with the mercury only ‘scraping into double figures’, Mr Burkhill said.

However, temperatures should remain around the high teens and low 20s across central and western parts of England and Wales.

Wet weather is forecast for Easter Sunday, with the chance of sleet or snow in Scotland and the far north of England.

Tuesday saw Wales record its hottest day of the year so far, with the mercury hitting 21.3C in Cardiff. Northern Ireland also experienced its warmest day of the year with temperatures reaching 18C at Giant’s Causeway, while Scotland saw the mercury rise to 18.5C in Lossiemouth, Moray.

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