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Bank holiday weather: Sun hides for Easter weekend as ‘big swing’ coming

Police warn people not to gather in large groups following easing of lockdown restrictions

Samuel Osborne
Friday 02 April 2021 14:58 BST
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UK weather: The latest Met Office forecast

Forecasters have warned a “big swing” in weather conditions could bring gale force winds and even snow to some parts of the UK over the Easter bank holiday weekend.

Some parts of the south could hang on to warmer conditions for the longest, prompting the Metropolitan Police to warn people not to gather in large groups following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

The cooler temperatures could put a dampener on scenes of reunion seen in packed parks and beauty spots around the country over the last week.

However, the change in weather could tempt more people to meet up inside, which remains banned under current coronavirus restrictions, except for those in the same household or support bubble.

Parts of the UK saw almost record-breaking March conditions this week, with temperatures almost reaching 24C on Wednesday.

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But the Met Office has said temperatures would decline steadily and by Monday would struggle to reach double digits due to the country entering an “Arctic trough”.

Nicola Maxey, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said: “There are some blustery winds around, particularly along the east coast, as we go through the weekend.

“It’s a marked change from what we saw on Wednesday and by the end of Friday we’re really all in this cold air – we’re in an Arctic trough.”

Ms Maxey said parts of the south would hang on to warmer temperatures for the longest but that by early next week the entire country would be in single figures.

On Saturday, temperatures in the southeast and London are expected to be about 12C and, further north, Manchester and Leeds could see highs of 13C and 10C respectively.

But, by Monday, London may drop to 8C, Manchester 7C and Leeds a chilly 5C.

Additional reporting by PA

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