Brits flock to beaches and parks to enjoy warm weather before cold blast hits on Easter Monday

Brits soaked up on the sun on Easter Sunday ahead of temperatures plummeting on Monday, with forecasters predicting the mercury to drop to as low as -7C (19.4F) in some parts of the UK.

Arctic winds are set to bring an end to the good weather that most of the country has seen over Easter, with highs of 17C (62.6F) in southern England on Easter Sunday due to drop to just 2C (35.6F) on Monday morning.

Sub-zero temperatures are expected in parts of northern England, with some parts of Scotland in line for lows of -7C.

The good weather on Sunday saw people flock outdoors to beaches and parks, lapping up the sunshine in areas including Southsea in Hampshire, Endcliffe Park in Sheffield and the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

The balmy weather came after the UK enjoyed its hottest March day for 53 years on Tuesday (March 30) as temperatures topped 24C.

Met Office forecaster Sarah Kent said: "Today is a lovely day for an Easter egg hunt in the back garden, whereas tomorrow if you were doing one you’d probably want to wear three jumpers."

She said Arctic maritime air would bring a "plunge of colder conditions".

Read more: Coastguards urge people to avoid 'tombstoning' after casualty left with 'life-changing injuries'

"It’s Arctic maritime air, which does mean it’s coming from the Arctic," she said. "So it’s going to be cold for everybody, but also windy too. The wind chill is going to be significant."

Snow warnings are in place for northern Scotland, with as much as 15cm set to fall in higher areas.

Yellow weather warnings were in place from 4pm on Sunday until 10am on Tuesday for Scotland, with winds of up to 70mph forecast.

Coastal areas of eastern England, parts of Wales and Northern Ireland could also see snow showers on Easter Monday.

Southern England can expect to see some sunshine and highs of 7C later in the day, but gusts of up to 30mph will make the temperature “feel like” -1C, Kent said.

Watch: What you can and can't do during England's third national lockdown