RAY OF HOPE
UK basks in 24C scorcher in hottest March since 1968 as Brits flock to parks & beaches and tomorrow will be even HOTTER
BRITS today basked in record breaking heat as temperatures rose to their highest level in March for over 50 years.
Highs of 24.2C were recorded in St James' Park, London - the first time a figure so high has been seen in March since 1968.
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The Met Office tweeted: "Temperatures have exceeded 24C in places today.
"This makes it provisionally the warmest March day in the UK for 53 years."
The second warmest March day was 23.6C, recorded in Aboyne in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 2012.
And bookies Ladbrokes give odds of 6/4 the temperature this week could beat the all-time March record of 25.6C, set in Mepa, Cambs, on March 29, 1968.
This week's mini heatwave will see parts of Britain getting hotter than Ibiza over the next couple of days - and it's set to be even warmer tomorrow.
Met Office Spokesperson Nicola Maxey told the Sun Online: “Tomorrow will be a degree or two warmer.
"There’s potential for 24C or 25C in places and the record for March is 25.6C."
But Wednesday is likely to be the "last day of the really warm weather," Ms Maxey said, with a cold snap set to hit over the Easter weekend.
"Tomorrow we will see the peak of the temperature," she said.
"We are going to see some arctic maritime air pushing through the country [from Thursday] and we are going to see a cold snap.”
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Today's weather comes in perfect time for Brits making the most of their new found freedoms, with the Rule of Six allowing pals to soak up the sun on parks and beaches.
Beachgoers basked in the midday heat in Brighton this afternoon while paddleboarders were seen taking to the water in Bournemouth.
Meanwhile Londoners exercised in parks after fresh freedoms allowing outdoor sports were dished out yesterday.
This morning the temperature rose more than 20 degrees in less than four hours in Santon Downham in Suffolk - jumping from a frost -1.6C at 7am to 19C at 10.55am.
Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: "In sheltered central and southern parts of the UK, weather conditions will be much calmer with temperatures climbing in the March sunshine to highs into the low 20s, with the possibility of 24C in southeast England by Tuesday."
But Met Office spokesperson Nicola Maxey said London was most likely to see "the peak" of the weather.
She said this morning: "There is a possibility (of reaching 24C) if we have perfect conditions - if we have clear blue sky and temperatures start picking up you could creep into 24C at very isolated points."
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The mini-heatwave isn't expected to last long as temperatures are predicted to take a nose dive on Thursday as a cool front moves in from the North.
London is expected to reach only 15C and Good Friday is on course to be even cooler still at just 12C.
Rain is likely on Easter Sunday and there could even be snow on Eastrer Monday.
The Met Office's Mr Snell said: “It is set to be a rollercoaster ride this week with the weather.
"But if you have Easter plans under the new restrictions the message is do them on Friday or Saturday. The weather is giving us plenty of opportunity to get outside.
"On Tuesday, there will be a chilly start with a touch of frost in some areas but then the sunshine will get to work and we may well see temperatures of 22C or 23C in East Anglia and the south east.
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“On Wednesday, the cold air from the north will start to move down but for the south east it will be warm again with a potentially record-breaking day in store and temperatures of 24C.”
The sunny spell comes just in time for the easing of lockdown restrictions - with six pals allowed to meet outside and the stay at home order ditched from yesterday.
Two households can socialise in parks, gardens and beaches once more, while outdoor sports facilities can reopen.
Football and cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, outdoor swimming pools, golf courses and sailing clubs are now free to reopen after months of being shuttered.
Organised team sports can also resume outdoors, meaning grassroots competitions can take place ahead of the Easter break without the need for social distancing.
The warmth could continue well into April - in time for the reopening of hairdressers, non-essential retail and boozers.
But Brits may first face cold air from the north over Easter weekend, bringing a dip in temperatures.
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The Met Office told The Sun Online things will "take a bit of a tumble from Thursday" with cloud and some showers spreading to most areas.
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Temperatures likely to be around or below average for the time of year, continuing over the Easter weekend.
There is even the potential for widespread overnight frosts.
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UK weather forecast: Mini-heatwave to continue on Wednesday as Brits flock to parks and beaches
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