But the Easter chill starts now

BAKING Britain was even hotter than Australia yesterday as our mini-heatwave sent temperatures soaring.

Millions flocked to the beach to soak up the sun before a predicted Easter weekend washout.

It was officially the hottest day since September last year, with the thermometer hitting 25C in Cambridge.

Brits basked in temperatures hotter than Melbourne, Australia, which recorded just 19C. More than 50,000 daytrippers hit Brighton and tens of thousands raced to the coast elsewhere.

Barbecue season was well under way with supermarkets cashing in on a booze and burger rush.

Change

But the mini-heatwave will be short-lived with downpours expected for the bank holiday.

Temperatures will nosedive by 14C to 12C today, with the weather getting worse through the week.

Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell said: “There is a bit of a change on the way. It will feel much cooler compared to the weekend.

“There will be some chilly nights which could bring the risk of frosts.

“Otherwise it is a mixture of sunshine and showers.”

It will start wet in the north and drier in the south on Good Friday before frequent spells of drizzle over the weekend.

James Madden, a forecaster for Exacta Weather, warned parts of the country are in for a chilly surprise.

He said: “The Easter period will bring a shock to the system as we revert back to cold and wintry weather.

“This could see temperatures at several degrees below normal for at least several days with the potential for wintry showers in parts of the north.”

But fortunes will flip again in a few weeks when a threemonth heatwave kicks in.

Forecasters reckon the UK will enjoy warm temperatures until the end of June.