Shoppers hit the streets and sunworshippers take to the sea despite Covid lockdown

Balmy temperatures have seen shoppers hitting the streets while sunworshippers flocked to the beaches this afternoon despite Covid lockdown.

Weather forecasters have predicted the mercury will rise to a sizzling 73F (23C) by April as spring is set start tomorrow.  

The UK has suffered through the coldest winter for three years according to the Met Office and after a week of 64F (18C) spring is around the corner. 

Surfers and swimmers were seen on Branksome Beach in Dorset making the most of the sunny skies and some were even spotted without wetsuits as they braved the chilly waters. 

In Newcastle hordes of shoppers were spotted descending on to the Quayside this morning despite government appeals to stay indoors

Surfers and swimmers were seen on Branksome Beach in Dorset making the most of the sunny skies and some were even spotted without wetsuits as they braved the chilly waters

Dogwalkers took to the beach in Camber, Sussex, this morning to celebrate sunny skies and warmer weather

In Newcastle hordes of shoppers were spotted descending on to the Quayside this morning despite government appeals to stay indoors. 

And police were seen patrolling the beach in Brighton as people stopped to sit on the pebbles this morning.  

However mild temperatures will drop for a five-day cold burst from Thursday.  

Snow flurries are likely in the east as temperatures halve to 5C, with frost and freezing nights set to dip towards the -6C seen in Scotland  this morning.  

But warm southerly winds are poised to send highs pushing towards 73F (23C)  by early April, ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said.

It would cheer millions as households meet from March 29 and pub beer gardens reopen from April 12. 

Swimmers in Banksome Beach were seen braving the water without wetsuits as the mercury rises 

Runners and walkers were seen enjoying the sunny weather on Branksome Beach in Dorset this morning

And police were seen patrolling the beach in Brighton as people stopped to sit on the pebbles this morning

A community support officer is seen talking to two women sitting on the beach in Brighton today

People were seen strolling along the beachfront in Brighton today to make the most of the sunny skies 

People in Sunderland took advantage of a picturesque sunrise in front of Roker Pier Lighthouse at Roker beach

Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: ‘A colder north-easterly airstream will be introduced across the UK later in the week.’

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: ‘Spring is starting but winter may return, with wintry showers in eastern Britain.’

A Met Office forecaster said: ‘A short colder spell is likely at the end of the week for a time. Frost and fog may occur.’

Dog walkers were spotted making the most of a beautiful sunrise on Blyth beach in Northumberland this morning 

Locals were seen strolling along the beachfront in Brighton this morning 

Beachgoers stopped to take in the view and make the most of the sunshine on Brighton beach 

Walkers watch the sunrise in front of Roker Pier Lighthouse, at Roker Beach, in Sunderland

Two joggers were spotted running along the beach at low tide after sunrise in Rustington in West Sussex

Locals were seen enjoying the sunshine and relaxing on Brighton beach this afternoon 

Ex-BBC and Met Office forecaster John Hammond of weathertrending said: ‘Much chillier northeasterly winds from Scandinavia may be cold enough for a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow in showers arriving across the North Sea.

‘But by late March, with temperatures dependent on wind direction, southerly winds could perhaps send the mercury into the low 20s as days grow longer than nights.’

A Met Office forecaster said: ‘Brief colder intervals are also possible from March 14-28, although temperatures are most likely to be around or a little above average overall.’