Coronavirus UK: Hottest day of the year so far during lockdown

Brits all over the UK have ignored lockdown rules today to flock to parks, beaches and promenades as temperatures hit 75F (23C) on one of the hottest days of the year. 

Despite government pleas and warnings of strong fines from police for breaching lockdown rules, beaches were packed up and down the country, with covidiots sunbathing and enjoying the high temperatures. 

The scenes come despite the rising death toll from the pandemic, with another 616 victims announced in the UK today, taking the total number of fatalities up to 18,783.

Speaking at today’s daily Downing Street briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: ‘We must maintain our resolve and follow the social distancing rules. They are working, protecting the NHS and saving lives.

‘To lift measures too soon and risk a second peak would be a mistake and undo all the hard work that has been done.’

Sunbathing is banned by the government, who say that people can only outside and visit parks to exercise during the coronavirus lockdown. 

In guidelines released earlier this month, police added that driving for a prolonged period with only brief exercise is also banned, as is a short walk to a park bench, where the person remains seated for a much longer period.   

People who are caught breaking the lockdown rules could end up saddled with a £60 fine and potentially another £120 fine for a second offense. 

People flock to a busy promenade in Bournemouth on one of the UK’s hottest days in the year as temperatures soar to 75F (23C)

Walkers are pictured strolling through Clapham Common in south London as temperatures soared across Britain today

Walkers are pictured strolling through Clapham Common in south London as temperatures soared across Britain today 

Police move two members of the public off a bench in Edinburgh today, after they appeared to decide to enjoy some tea in the sun, despite the coronavirus lockdown

Police move two members of the public off a bench in Edinburgh today, after they appeared to decide to enjoy some tea in the sun, despite the coronavirus lockdown

 

Earlier today, Nicola Sturgeon laid out a plan to ease lockdown restrictions in Scotland, suggesting that the country could go it alone from the rest of the UK. 

The Scottish First Minister today published a blueprint setting out how the current state of lockdown could be lifted north of the border as she said there needed to be a ‘better balance’ between tackling the disease and protecting the economy. 

The warmest day of 2020 so far was Good Friday when the mercury rose to a sizzling 78F (26C). The Met Office had thought the UK would see similar highs today, but experts are now predicting temperatures will fall just short – though the sun is still strong enough to entice people out of their homes. 

Today is warm, dry and bright with mostly clear skies and some light wind and clouds and tonight will see some cloud developing northwards. 

Tomorrow will feel similarly warm and sunny with any clouds over eastern and central parts of the UK expected to retreat back northwards.

Although Saturday will also be warm, in many parts of the UK temperatures will have cooled down and winds will have picked up by Sunday for expected showers on Monday.    

Members of the public ignore the Coronavirus lockdown on the hottest day of the year on Primrose Hill, north London, including this woman who seemed to be enjoying the sun

Members of the public ignore the Coronavirus lockdown on the hottest day of the year on Primrose Hill, north London, including this woman who seemed to be enjoying the sun

Three smiling friends stand close together on Primrose Hill this afternoon, as they pose for a selfie, seemingly ignoring government lockdown guidelines

Three smiling friends stand close together on Primrose Hill this afternoon, as they pose for a selfie, seemingly ignoring government lockdown guidelines

Sunbathing is banned by the government under the guidelines, but that didn't seem to stop some covidiots all over the country, including this woman at Highgate park in north London

Sunbathing is banned by the government under the guidelines, but that didn’t seem to stop some covidiots all over the country, including this woman at Highgate park in north London

What social distancing? People throng close together on Primrose Hill this afternoon as they enjoy the sun despite the coronavirus lockdown

What social distancing? People throng close together on Primrose Hill this afternoon as they enjoy the sun despite the coronavirus lockdown

Sunbathing was the theme of the day with these two men laying shirtless on Primrose Hill in north London this afternoon

Sunbathing was the theme of the day with these two men laying shirtless on Primrose Hill in north London this afternoon

This man appeared to be laying back and enjoying the sun on Primrose Hill, with his dog keeping him company this afternoon

This man appeared to be laying back and enjoying the sun on Primrose Hill, with his dog keeping him company this afternoon

Exercisers take a break and people sunbathe at Primrose Hill. People are allowed to take a break during their exercise but sunbathing is against the UK's lockdown restrictions

Exercisers take a break and people sunbathe at Primrose Hill. People are allowed to take a break during their exercise but sunbathing is against the UK’s lockdown restrictions 

A couple sunbathe in St. James's Park. Heath Secretary Matt Hancock warned again today that Brits must stay indoors to defeat the virus

A couple sunbathe in St. James’s Park. Heath Secretary Matt Hancock warned again today that Brits must stay indoors to defeat the virus

Londoners walking and resting on Primrose Hill. Many seemed to be walking close to each other, ignoring social distancing rules

Londoners walking and resting on Primrose Hill. Many seemed to be walking close to each other, ignoring social distancing rules

People relaxing on the beach in Dorset despite coronavirus lockdown restrictions only allowing people to be outside if they are exercising

People relaxing on the beach in Dorset despite coronavirus lockdown restrictions only allowing people to be outside if they are exercising

Recent sunny weekends have seen politicians, NHS staff and police plead with the public to stay inside if they are not exercising.

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Send us your pictures of your sunny day in lockdown to [email protected] 

However, today’s warm weather seems to have sent the nation to the beaches again, with people happy to break the rules, enjoying the sun in Bournemouth, Brighton and London – while a couple were spotted enjoying a Corona beer in a cemetery in Birmingham.

In Edinburgh, two men were moved on by police after they were spotted enjoying some tea on a park bench. 

Despite the Health Secretary’s latest warning for Brits to stay home, the hot weather seems to have pushed many to ignore government advice.  

The hot weather has come from some high level air that has moved towards the UK from a southerly direction. 

The Met Office has said that although the air may carry some lifted dust there is unlikely to be a major dust cloud as most of the UK’s air comes from a northeasterly direction.  

Today is the start of hot, fine and dry weather with clear skies and light, warm sea breezes in coastal areas. 

The weather is due to high pressure around England and Ireland right now made warmer by the light winds and clear skies.  

The weather is set to drop on Sunday and bring cooler air and rain.  

This year’s Summer will be spent inside on lockdown because of coronavirus which has infected 134,639 people and killed 18, 100. 

Britons prepare for a Summer at home as it is still unclear when people will be allowed out of lockdown and social distancing will no longer be necessary. 

People keep social distance from each other on the Long Walk in Windsor. Adhering to social distancing means avoiding large crowds and keeping at least 2 metres between people

People keep social distance from each other on the Long Walk in Windsor. Adhering to social distancing means avoiding large crowds and keeping at least 2 metres between people

People sunbathe on Primrose Hill. Sunbathing is against the UK's coronavirus restrictions and people can be fined if they are found sunbathing instead of exercising while outside

People sunbathe on Primrose Hill. Sunbathing is against the UK’s coronavirus restrictions and people can be fined if they are found sunbathing instead of exercising while outside

A woman sunbathes next to the River Thames in central London. Boris Johnson's aim was to 'turn the tide' on the virus in 12 weeks and the UK has been on lockdown since March 23 leaving the option to keep social distancing restrictions until June

A woman sunbathes next to the River Thames in central London. Boris Johnson’s aim was to ‘turn the tide’ on the virus in 12 weeks and the UK has been on lockdown since March 23 leaving the option to keep social distancing restrictions until June

A woman sunbathes next to the RNLI lifeboat station next to the River Thames in central London

A woman sunbathes next to the RNLI lifeboat station next to the River Thames in central London

People walk their dogs and exercise at Weymouth in Dorset. If April's temperatures continue this way it will beat 2011's record of 53F (11.8C) and become the hottest April since records began in 1659

People walk their dogs and exercise at Weymouth in Dorset. If April’s temperatures continue this way it will beat 2011’s record of 53F (11.8C) and become the hottest April since records began in 1659

The average highest temperature for April month is 53F (12C) making this April the highest UK has seen since 2011.

If April’s temperatures continue this way it will beat 2011’s record of 53F (11.8C) and become the hottest April since records began in 1659.

The high pressure causing this weather has been carried over from northern Africa which can affect air pollution levels.    

Londoners doing yoga and enjoying the warm weather in Battersea Park. Britons are allowed out once a day to exercise during lockdown

Londoners doing yoga and enjoying the warm weather in Battersea Park. Britons are allowed out once a day to exercise during lockdown

A runner enjoying her daily exercise at Poole in Dorset.  The warm weather is due to high pressure around England and Ireland right now made warmer by the light winds and clear skies

A runner enjoying her daily exercise at Poole in Dorset.  The warm weather is due to high pressure around England and Ireland right now made warmer by the light winds and clear skies

A girl rides her horse through blooming bluebells in Worcestershire on one of the hottest days in the year coming just short of this year's hottest day ever

The sun rises through last night’s clouds to shine on almost windless, clear skies all day today in the High Peak of Derbyshire 

This morning's sunrise behind Overton Lake in Nene Park in Peterborough on the hottest day of this year while Britons are stuck inside on lockdown

Yesterday’s warm sunset at Newhaven Harbour in Edinburgh. Yesterday temperatures did not quite reach today’s with the highest being 61F (21C)

Send us your pictures of your sunny day in lockdown to [email protected]