What is the weather going to be like when England’s lockdown is eased on 29 March?

England could enjoy temperatures as high as 17C when its coronavirus lockdown is eased next week, forecasters say.

On Monday, 29 March, people will be allowed to meet outside with one other household or within the "rule of six", including in private gardens.

The next step of the government's lockdown easing will see the end of the advice to "stay at home", although people will be urged to remain local, as prime minister Boris Johnson has warned the UK will feel the effects of a third wave of COVID-19.

Organised sport can also recommence from next week, while golf courses and basketball and tennis courts may reopen.

With people finally allowed to meet in groups outside again for the first time since the third national lockdown began in early January, many are eagerly watching the weather forecast.

And the news for next week is good, with the Met Office predicting temperatures in the mid-teens on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Watch: Boris Johnson warns UK will 'feel effects' of third wave

However, forecasters say there is a possibility that maximum UK temperatures could be anywhere in a range of between 8C and 17C.

Grahame Madge, senior press officer at the Met Office, told Yahoo News UK: "We could see temperatures as high as 17C on Tuesday and Wednesday in the south east of England.

"We could see temperatures getting into the mid-teens. It will be cloudy next week."

He said bands of rain are forecast for the north west of England at the end of this week.

However, after the COVID-19 restrictions are eased, there is an expectation of some fairly warm temperatures.

Despite this, "it's not going to be wall-to-wall sunshine next week," said Madge.

Visitors to England’s forests over Easter, which falls on the first weekend in April, have been urged to follow coronavirus guidelines.

Forestry England, which manages and cares for 1,500 woods and forests, has told people to bring face masks and sanitiser and to take their litter home.

It anticipates its sites remaining busy as COVID restrictions ease and warmer weather arrives.

“While high visitor numbers are helping to support Forestry England’s work and the local economy, there are challenges – ranging from some visitors parking thoughtlessly and leaving litter behind, to forgetting to be considerate to staff and each other,” said the organisation.

Meanwhile, people in England are set to face fines of £5,000 if they go abroad from next week without a good reason.

At home, thousands of people have already booked staycation sailings with P&O Cruises this summer, the company announced.

The cruise line’s flagship Britannia and new ship Iona will set sail from Southampton between June and September, travelling around the UK’s coastline.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Many thousands of guests have already made bookings and Iona’s maiden voyage to the Scottish islands is already very well sold and will be a very special cruise.”

The cruise line has announced a ban on unvaccinated holidaymakers, allowing only UK residents who have received both doses of a coronavirus vaccine at least seven days in advance onboard.

Watch: How England will leave lockdown