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Britain basks in glorious 26C sunshine but an ‘Arctic Plunge’ will bring the chill factor on Monday

Brits flock to beaches and parks as mercury soars over the weekend

Weather

BRITS enjoyed the summer sunshine while it lasted this weekend – before temperatures plummet at the start of the week.

People across the country were basking in heat of up to 26C heat as the UK sizzled.

Bournemouth was expecting 100,000 visitors a day after people flocked to beaches across the UK
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Bournemouth was expecting 100,000 visitors a day after people flocked to beaches across the UKCredit: Alamy

Pictures show packed beaches as locals and ‘stay-cationers’ headed to the seaside in their droves.

Cornwall was expecting up to a million visitors over the weekend.

And Bournemouth has seen around 100,000 people arriving a day.

Traffic jams were expected on the route to Dorset as people headed to the seaside in their droves
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Traffic jams were expected on the route to Dorset as people headed to the seaside in their drovesCredit: Rex Features
People in towns and cities took to the park to get their fix of sunshine
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People in towns and cities took to the park to get their fix of sunshineCredit: Rex Features
Brighton was also jam-packed as temperatures reached highs of 26C
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Brighton was also jam-packed as temperatures reached highs of 26CCredit: Alamy

The spike in footfall is predicted to boost tourism spending to as much as £1.25bn, according to research by VisitEngland and VisitScotland.

But the weather couldn’t have been worse for the 1,000 runners at the Gloucester City Marathon.

Hordes of sweat-drenched competitors battled the heat as they made their way to the finish line.

People in towns and cities across the country were also seen taking to parks to get their fix of sunshine.

The weather was perfect for the Pride Parade in Brighton yesterday
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The weather was perfect for the Pride Parade in Brighton yesterdayCredit: Getty Images
The spike in numbers heading to the beach is predicted to boost tourism spending to as much as £1.25bn
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The spike in numbers heading to the beach is predicted to boost tourism spending to as much as £1.25bnCredit: Alamy
Runners at the Gloucester City Marathon had to put up with sky-high temperatures
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Runners at the Gloucester City Marathon had to put up with sky-high temperaturesCredit: Alamy
1,000 competitors battled through the heat to make their way towards the finish line
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1,000 competitors battled through the heat to make their way towards the finish lineCredit: Alamy

City-dwellers crammed into any and all open spaces to make the most of their chance to soak up the rays.

But Met Office forecasters warned the good times wouldn’t last forever.

The mercury already began to slide back down today, with highs of 23C.

And a “plunge of arctic air” is set to cause temperatures to continue to drop for much of the country tomorrow.

Temperatures already began to drop off a little bit today
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Temperatures already began to drop off a little bit todayCredit: Array
The mercury dropped to show highs of 23C as the UK braces for an 'Arctic plunge' tomorrow
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The mercury dropped to show highs of 23C as the UK braces for an 'Arctic plunge' tomorrowCredit: Array
There were traffic warnings for the A31 to Dorset as the sun came out
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There were traffic warnings for the A31 to Dorset as the sun came outCredit: Alamy
Horse riders from the local stables were out enjoying the sun on Wimbledon Common
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Horse riders from the local stables were out enjoying the sun on Wimbledon CommonCredit: Alamy
A dog was seen trying its hand at paddle-boarding in Bournemouth as its owners took to the sea to cool off
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A dog was seen trying its hand at paddle-boarding in Bournemouth as its owners took to the sea to cool offCredit: Alamy
Whitburn Windmill in South Tyneside bathed in sunshine yesterday
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Whitburn Windmill in South Tyneside bathed in sunshine todayCredit: North News and Pictures

Brian Gaze said: “It could be chilly enough for flakes of snow in showers over the tops of Scottish mountains.”

Scotland is also facing “unusually” high winds of up to 65mph – with a yellow warning in place far areas in the far north.

As the week wears on, northern England can expect a soaking.

Brits were warned to make the most of the weather while they still could
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Brits were warned to make the most of the weather while they still couldCredit: Alamy
Temperatures across the country are expected to drop this week
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Temperatures across the country are expected to drop this weekCredit: Alamy
Rain is expected across the north as a 'plunge of arctic air' chills the UK
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Rain is expected across the north as a 'plunge of arctic air' chills the UKCredit: Array
Northern areas of Scotland have been issued with a yellow warning for high winds
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Northern areas of Scotland have been issued with a yellow warning for high windsCredit: PA:Press Association

But much of southern England and Wales can expect more “fine weather”.

And forecasters are cautiously optimistic about next weekend, saying temperatures could bounce back to the high 20s.

So keep the cool bag and folding chairs out of the attic, you might be needing them again soon.

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