Britons have flocked out to enjoy the last of the summer sunshine this weekend as rain is set to sweep across the nation next week.
Temperatures reached a pleasant 77F (25C) in some parts of the UK today, with people heading out across the UK to enjoy the last weekend of summer weather before rain is set to hit the nation next week.
The warm and sunny weather comes on the first weekend since the Government introduced its new ‘rule of six’ rule amid the coronavirus pandemic.
But people still flocked outdoors to make the most of the last rays of sunshine before temperatures become cooler next week, with Tuesday and Wednesday bringing rain in from the north west of the UK.
The Met Office had forecast a weekend of ‘largely dry, bright and fine’ weather, which has seen temperatures rise as high as 77F (25C) across the first day of the weekend.
The Met Office had forecast a weekend of ‘largely dry, bright and fine’ weather, which could see temperatures rise as high as 24C (75F). Pictured, picknickers enjoy the warm sunshine on the first weekend the ‘rule of six’ is in force
Metropolitan Police urged Londoners (above, drinkers at a pub in southwest London) to ‘continue to act responsibly’ amid forecasts of warm weather for the capital over the weekend
Ollie Claydon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said that the warm weekend temperatures would come ahead of a more ‘unsettled’ week of weather. Above, people enjoy the warm weather in central London on September 19
Highs of 77F (25C) were recorded at Heathrow across today, as temperatures are set to hit similar highs tomorrow.
Kew Gardens and St James Park in London both reached 77F, with Kinlochewe in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland hitting 75F (24C).
Ollie Claydon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, said that the warm weekend temperatures would come ahead of a more ‘unsettled’ week of weather.
‘We’re in for a dry and fine evening on Saturday, with clear conditions for central parts of the UK and northern Ireland,’ he said.
‘There’s a risk of showers but temperatures will stay high.
‘But then a cold front from the north west around lunchtime on Monday will herald the arrival of cooler, more unsettled weather next week.’
The September warmth follows on from an August heatwave which saw temperatures hit 93F (34C) for six days running last month.
Groups of kitesurfers and windsurfers made the most of the the sunny, yet blustery weather, in Portland, Weymouth, today
Britons sat outside to enjoy drinks in southwest London today as temperatures reached highs of 77F (25C) at Heathrow and are set to continue further into the weekend
Temperatures reached a warm 77F (25C) today, with people heading out across the UK (above, people at Boscombe beach in Dorset) to enjoy the last weekend of summer weather before rain is set to hit the nation next week
Surfers rode the waves off of Boscombe beach in Dorset as the Met Office forecasts sunny temperatures of up to 77F (25C) will continue across the rest of the weekend
People in southwest London made the most of the warm weather as concerns of a second coronavirus wave rise after the new ‘rule of six’ came into force earlier this week
The highest temperature ever recorded in September was 96.08F (35.6C) on September 2, 1906, but they ‘don’t look like they’re going to come anywhere close to that in this current hot spell’, the forecaster said.
The warmest September day of recent years was September 13, 2016, when 93.9F (34.4C) was recorded at Gravesend, Kent – the warmest day of that year.
It comes as police forces across the UK urged people to comply with the Government’s new ‘rule of six’ during the warm and sunny weather this weekend.
Further lockdown measures were also introduced in northern parts of England, with 10pm curfews being introduced in some areas across the northeast.
Police officers in Manchester urged people to comply with coronavirus restrictions after they were called to reports of a wedding party at a home.
Greater Manchester Police said officers attended a property in Wythenshawe on Friday evening, having received intelligence that a wedding party was being held.
‘Police attended and found that a gazebo had been erected in the garden of a property,’ the force tweeted.
‘Officers prevented the illegal gathering before restrictions were breached.’
Police forces across the country have urged people to comply with the ‘rule of six’ across the sunny weekend as fears of another national lockdown increase
Any social gathering of more than six people in England is against the law, with people facing fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure. Above, small groups sit outside pubs and cafes in southwest London
Any social gathering of more than six people in England is against the law, with people facing fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure, which applies to indoor and outdoor settings
Highs of 77F (25C) were recorded at Heathrow across today, as temperatures are set to hit similar highs tomorrow. Pictured, groups enjoy the warm sunshine at Hyde Park in London
Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix, of Kent Police, said there would be an increased presence in ‘key areas’ around the county, as Covid-19 remains a ‘real and deadly threat’.
The Metropolitan Police previously urged Londoners to ‘continue to act responsibly’ amid the forecasts of warm weather for the capital over the weekend.
The force said it will continue to patrol public spaces and respond to incidents where groups of more than six are gathering, reminding the public of fines for breaching coronavirus guidelines.
Any social gathering of more than six people in England is against the law, with people facing fines of up to £3,200 if they do not abide by the new measure, which applies to both indoor and outdoor settings.
And forces in Dorset, where large crowds have previously flocked to the beaches to enjoy the heat, also warned that anyone flouting the new ‘rule of six’ over the weekend may be subject to fines.