UK set for milder 53F today as parks brace for an onslaught of visitors at start of Easter break

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Boris Johnson has warned Britons they must not meet indoors or stay overnight this Easter as millions prepare to see family and friends over the four-day weekend.

The Prime Minister addressed the issue in a Q&A session with social media users on Twitter this morning after he was asked whether two people having received the jab would enable indoor gatherings.

He said: ‘I’m afraid the answer is no, because we’re not yet at this stage. We’re very much in a world where you can meet friends and family outdoors under the rule of six or two households. 

‘And even though friends and family members may be vaccinated, the vaccines are not giving 100 per cent protection and that’s why we just need to be cautious. We don’t think they entirely reduce or remove the risk of transmission.’

It comes as parks, beaches and beauty spots across the UK are bracing themselves for another onslaught of visitors, despite police appealing for calm at the start of the four-day Easter break.

Britain is set for mild temperatures of around 53F (12C) today and tomorrow, as many will be looking to take advantage of the relaxing of Covid restrictions earlier this week.

Monday saw gatherings of up to six people allowed outside, including in parks or gardens, for the first time in months.

And lockdown-weary Britons certainly made the most of the rule change, with thousands flocking to enjoy the sunshine during a mini-heatwave.

Police will be hoping there is no repeat of some of the scenes witnessed this week, however, after drunk revellers clashed with officers in Cardiff, 100 youths ran riot in Liverpool and a brawl erupted in London’s Primrose Hill after a knifeman charged at crowds.

While temperatures are not expected to hit the heights of 75F (24C) seen on Tuesday, clear skies and outbreaks of sunshine are likely to draw crowds to outdoor beauty spots, while many families will be looking to meet in gardens over Easter, having missed out on seeing loved ones at Christmas.

The Metropolitan Police has called for calm ahead of the long weekend, insisting officers ‘make no apology for our tough stance on shutting down those large gatherings which pose a serious risk to public health’.

It comes as the Met Office warns that, despite the almost record-setting March conditions earlier this week, temperatures would decline steadily and by Monday would struggle to reach double digits, with snow warnings even forecast in some areas.

The long weekend follows another hectic few days in which: 

• Boris Johnson has faced a backlash over his vaccine passport plan, with MPs vowing to vote against the idea;
• Industry bosses have warned 60% of pubs will not welcome back customers on April 12 as they won’t have enough space;
• A public health expert insists Britain won’t suffer a devastating third wave because so many have been vaccinated and warmer weather is coming;
• A chief constable argued the ‘Stay Local’ advice is too ‘vague’, with police telling people to report rule-breakers; 
• Police seized booze and shut parks while Britons left beaches and beauty spots covered in litter

The Met Office said that no part of the country would be ‘immune’ from snowfall on Easter Monday as the temperatures continue to drop.

The colder weather coincides with the easing of coronavirus restrictions across the country and police have urged people to continue to respect the rules.

Parts of Scotland including Fife, Strathclyde and Highlands are due to see gale-force winds and snow showers that could cause travel disruption.

There could be as much as 15cm of snow in higher areas and temperatures may drop as low as minus 5C (23F) on Easter Monday morning.

The Met Office’s yellow warnings are in place from 6pm on Sunday until midnight on Monday.

It comes as the stay-at-home order was lifted across Scotland on Friday, allowing people to travel locally for non-essential purposes.

Craig Snell, forecaster for the Met Office, said: ‘After a taste of summer for a lot of the UK we will see things turn much colder as we go through the second half of the Easter weekend.

‘A lot of the UK will be prone to seeing some wintry showers as we go through the course of Monday but northern Scotland is where we’ll see the heaviest and most frequent snow.

‘That’s where there’s most concern that we might see some disruption.’

Mr Snell said although it was not unusual to see snow at this time of year, it would be a ‘shock to the system’ for many, following the almost record-breaking March temperatures felt earlier in the week.

Parts of the UK saw temperatures reach nearly 75.2F (24C) on Wednesday, with Weybourne, north Norfolk, leading the way at a peak of 75F (23.9C).

But the figure fell just shy of the nation’s hottest ever March temperature of 78F (25.6C), which was recorded in 1968 at Mepal in Cambridgeshire. 

According to Sky News, it is possible that Britain could this week see a rare ‘thunderstorm’ which sees stormy weather combined with wintry showers.

The storm could see lightning appear brighter as the light reflects off falling snowflakes, while the sound of the thunder can be quieter.  

For thundersnow to occur there needs to be a precise set of circumstances – the air layer closer to the ground has to be warmer than the layers above, but still cold enough to create snow.

Yesterday Ladbrokes cut its odds of snowfall on Easter. The bookies now make it just 5/4 that snow falls anywhere in the UK on Sunday with temperatures set to take another dip.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: ‘The odds are tumbling with the temperatures and while it once looked like this Easter might be a scorcher, it could well be quite the opposite on the weather front with snow on the way over the coming days.’  

Sunny skies are still expected across large parts of the country today, with highs of 57F (14C) in the south east and London.

Tomorrow, temperatures in the south east and London are expected to be about 53.6F (12C) and, further north, Manchester and Leeds could see highs of 55.4F (13C) and 50F (10C) respectively.

But, by Monday, London may drop to 46.4F (8C), Manchester 44.6F (7C) and Leeds a chilly 41F (5C).

The Met Office said the warmer temperatures were more unusual than the cold temperatures for the end of March. 

While groups of six, or two households, are allowed to meet outside, the Metropolitan Police said larger gatherings, including house parties and illegal raves, will be shut down.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jane Connors said: ‘We cannot allow the selfish actions of a small minority of people to jeopardise the efforts of this city.

‘We will continue to shut down house parties or dangerous raves quickly, taking enforcement action by handing out fines.

‘We make no apology for our tough stance on shutting down those large gatherings which pose a serious risk to public health.’ 

The Met is expecting more protests in the capital over the weekend, which are now lawful providing organisers submit a risk assessment and take steps to ensure the gathering is safe.

But the force said: ‘Enforcement action will be taken, if needed, in the interests of public health.’

Among the planned demonstrations is a Kill the Bill rally against the Government’s proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill due to take place in Finsbury Park on Friday afternoon, with similar events planned elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police sought to avoid a repeat of scenes played out across the country this week by introducing a 48-hour dispersal order for the city centre, to last until 3pm on Saturday.

It means officers can direct anyone acting anti-socially to leave the area.