New social distancing rules have been thrown out of the window after crowds spent the day flocking to beaches to enjoy last of the ‘Indian summer’ heatwave before rain sweeps in next week.
People all over the country have flouted the new ‘rule of six’ restriction, which was introduced on Monday, as they gathered together to make the most of the soaring temperatures.
It comes amid reports that Britain will bask in a spell of sunshine and warm weather this weekend as a plume of hot air drifts across the UK.
New social distancing rules have been thrown out of the window after crowds spent the day flocking to beaches to enjoy last of the ‘Indian summer’ heatwave before rain sweeps in next week. Pictured: A group of ten on the beach in Bournemouth, Dorset
People all over the country have flouted the new ‘rule of six’ restriction, which was introduced on Monday, as they gathered together to make the most of the soaring temperatures (crowds on the sands in Dorset earlier today)
Pictured: A group of nine on the beach breaking the Covid regulations by having a group larger than six people at the seaside resort of Bournemouth in Dorset on a day of hot sunshine and a strong gusty wind
Warm air from mainland Europe has triggered some unlikely September sun with temperatures expected to climb to around 22C in London at the weekend
Sunbathers have shunned the new restrictions after warm air from mainland Europe triggered some unlikely September sun with temperatures expected to climb to around 23C in the south east on Saturday, peaking at around 25C on Sunday and Monday.
The seasonal average daytime temperature for England and Wales in September is 18C (64F).
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna explained that the unseasonable highs had been triggered by warm spells from countries in mainland Europe such as France and Spain.
A group of ten on the beach breaking the Covid regulations in Dorset amid reports that Britain will bask in a spell of sunshine and warm weather this weekend as a plume of hot air drifts across the UK
Making the most of it: People enjoying the autumn sunshine on Southsea Beach in Hampshire this afternoon
It comes amid reports that Britain will bask in a spell of sunshine and warm weather this weekend as a plume of hot air drifts across the UK. Pictured: One group of beachgoers sticking to the rules in Bournemouth
People enjoyed a spot of fishing off South Parade pier in the autumn sunshine on Southsea Beach in Hampshire today
But the Met office has warned sun-seekers to not get too used to the heat as temperatures are expected to drop by next week.
Met Office forecasters say Saturday and Sunday is likely to be warm and sunny for much of the UK, before conditions turn more unsettled from Tuesday.
Scotland can expect odd spots of rain before sunnier, warmer spells on Saturday while the rest of the UK will be generally sunny and warm.
There could be showers early on Sunday morning, Met Office forecasters warn, with early mist and fog before a generally dry and sunny day.
The picture will become more unsettled from the northwest on Tuesday.
Met Office forecaster Oli Claydon told MailOnline warmer air from continental Europe will bring highs of up to 25C by Sunday.
He said: ‘Today will see bright sunny start, with the exception of the far north of Scotland, and highs of 21C.
‘We’ll have a bright start tomorrow, but could see some cloud and rain nudging across the south coast. Elsewhere temperatures will be stable across UK, with highs tomorrow of 23C in the south east.
‘On Sunday there is likely to be some cloud in the north of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in the morning. The south could see sunshine and showers, with the chance of heavy showers. Wales and the central part of the country will see the best of the sunshine, remaining dry. There’ll be highs of 25C in the south east, and similar again on Monday.’
At the beginning of next week a cold front will be moving in and sweeping southeastwards, bringing heavy wind and rain, and blustery showers. The Met Office says it will be progressively unsettled through the week with temperatures dropping to around 18C by Wednesday.
Sunseekers lap up the rays as the Brittany Ferry, Normandie, sails into Portsmouth harbour
There was a picturesque sunrise in the countryside in Lower Shiplake, Oxford this morning
Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna explained that the sun this week had been triggered by warm spells from countries in mainland Europe such as France and Spain
Warm air from mainland Europe has triggered some unlikely September sun with temperatures expected to climb to around 22C in London at the weekend
On Monday and Tuesday Britons flocked to beaches and parks across the country to enjoy the hot spell which brought with it temperatures of up to 30C (86F).
The sunny weather came as the government’s new ‘rule of six’ on social gatherings was put into motion this week.
While many Brits appeared to be following the guidelines, others were pictured clearly flouting the new rules – an offence that can lead to a £100 fine.
Autumn’s heat follows weeks of cool washouts which spoilt much of August and early September.