Crowds of lockdown-weary Britons once again hit parks and beaches today, despite temperatures continuing to drop.
Hopes of an al-fresco Easter lunch look to be wrecked as a cold snap makes its way across the UK, with heavy snow warnings in place for parts of northern Scotland.
Forecasters add that nowhere in the country will be ‘immune’ from snowfall by Monday as the mercury plummets.
But despite a chilly breeze and temperatures stuck at around 50F (10C) today, people still made their way out and about to destinations such as Bournemouth beach and London’s Primrose Hill to take advantage of the easing of lockdown restrictions.
Groups of up to six people, or two households, have been able to meet outside, including in private gardens, since Monday, but officials have urged the public to continue to respect the rules and not gather in larger groups.
Boris Johnson also yesterday warned people not to mix indoors or stay overnight – even if they’ve received both Covid jabs.
A survey by Sainsbury’s found more than half of British households – 51% – had planned to swap a traditional Easter roast for a barbeque or picnic this year, but plans are likely to have to change in Fife, Strathclyde and the Highlands, which are due to see gale-force winds and snow showers as the country enters an ‘Arctic trough’.
By Easter Monday morning, there could be as much as 15cm of snow in higher areas.
The Met Office’s yellow warnings are in place from 6pm on Sunday until midnight on Monday.
A couple enjoy a glass of bubbly on a picnic blanket at London’s Primrose Hill today, despite falling temperatures
A group of young women make the most of the easing of lockdown restrictions by meeting on the beach in Bournemouth
London’s Primrose Hill was busy today with families enjoying a stroll and a sit down before the temperatures start to drop
A swimmer enjoys a dip in the water at the beach in Bournemouth during the four-day Easter weekend
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 balmy temperatures felt earlier in the week.
Parts of the UK saw the mercury reach nearly 24C (75.2F) on Wednesday.
On Saturday, temperatures in the South East and London are expected to be about 12C (53.6F) and, further north – Manchester and Leeds – could see highs of 13C (55.4F) and 10C (50F) respectively.
By Monday, London may drop to 8C (46.4F), Manchester 7C (44.6F) and Leeds a chilly 5C (41F).
‘Nowhere is going to be immune from potentially seeing some snow showers on Monday, even down towards the south west of England,’ said Mr Snell.
But he said it was unlikely that the snow would settle.
Despite the disappointing weather, Britons still made the most of the Good Friday holiday – flocking to parks and beaches.
The Metropolitan Police issued a warning before the long weekend, telling people not to gather in large groups ahead of a number of planned protests.
Families descend on Bournemouth beach as restrictions are lifted in time for the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend
A group of young people enjoy a picnic on London’s Primrose Hill this afternoon as the easing of restrictions allows meet-ups
Families descend on Bournemouth beach as restrictions are lifted in time for the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend
The beach wasn’t as packed as it has been in recent days but there were still people out exercising before the weather turns
A group of young people enjoy a picnic on London’s Primrose Hill this afternoon as the easing of restrictions allows meet-ups
Families descend on Bournemouth beach as restrictions are lifted in time for the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend
London’s Primrose Hill was once again busy this afternoon as the easing of restrictions allows meet-ups in outdoor areas
Families descend on Bournemouth beach as restrictions are lifted in time for the four-day Easter bank holiday weekend
A group of youngsters enjoy what remains of the warm weather before temperatures begin to plummet in the coming days
A Kill the Bill rally against the Government’s proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill was staged in Finsbury Park on Friday afternoon, with similar events taking place elsewhere.
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.
The force said: ‘Enforcement action will be taken, if needed, in the interests of public health.’
It comes after scores of people were yesterday left questioning the point in getting vaccinated in the first place as the Prime Minister poured cold water on plans for extended meetings between families this weekend.
Mr Johnson addressed the issue of mixing indoors over Easter in a Q&A session with social media users on Twitter, as millions of people prepare to see loved ones for the first time since before Christmas.
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.’
