BRITAIN is set to bask in a mini-heatwave next week, with temperatures reaching 17C.
The warmer weather is a huge boost for pub beer gardens and BBQs as coronavirus restrictions ease across England.
Read our UK weather live blog for the very latest news and forecasts...
Yesterday, outdoor hospitality was allowed to reopen after being closed for months during lockdown.
Brits were seen at pub beer gardens, outdoor bars and restaurants around the country despite cold temperatures – with some people even braving heavy snow to enjoy a pint.
Pals knocked back pints on deckchairs at The Cat and Fiddle Inn in Macclesfield, Cheshire, surrounded by snowy ground.
And groups of friends reunited at pubs across Newcastle, Huddersfield and Portsmouth, wrapped up in coats, scarves and woolly hats.
The weather is set to remain cold for the rest of this week, reaching highs of just 15 by Sunday.
But from next week, people will be able to enjoy warmer temperatures as the mercury reaches 17C by April 23, according to WXCharts.
Sadly, the mini-heatwave is not set to remain for long as temperatures will decrease once again towards the end of the month, according to forecasters.
The Met Office’s long range forecast for the end of April and beginning of May says: “Fine and dry weather is likely to be more prevalent overall, especially during late-April, with this signal waning during May, although all areas are likely to see some showers or longer spells of rain at times.”
Temperatures will probably remain close to average with some warmer spells at times, the Met Office added.
Tuesday morning will be frosty, with sunny spells in some areas and scattered showers in the west of the country.
Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said widespread frost is expected in northern parts of the country this morning.
SUNNY SPELLS
Towns and cities are expected to see temperatures of -1C or 2C, while some sheltered parts of northern England and central Scotland could be as cold as -8C.
Despite the chilling temperatures, there will be plenty of sunshine in Scotland, northern and eastern England – with western areas experiencing cloudy conditions.
Tomorrow, temperatures will be between 11C and 14C, as they increase slightly after a cold start to the week.
Northern Ireland is set to be the warmest spot in the UK on Wednesday, Mr McGivern said.
Yesterday, as pubs and beer gardens reopened across England, some punters shivered in bracing conditions, with the mercury a bone-chilling 1C in the capital this morning.
Hungry diners flocking to restaurants will need to wrap up warm in outdoor seating areas as snow carpeted the country.
Along with beer gardens and outdoor dining areas, non-essential shops, hairdressers, indoor gyms, swimming pools, nail salons and zoos in England were also allowed to reopen their doors yesterday.
Bookies have now made this April odds on to become the coldest ever.
The coldest was recorded in 2011 when the mean average for the month was 5.7C.
So far, the mean average for this April is 4.6C.
But Met Office forecaster Nicky Maxey said rising temperatures “could change everything”.
