The video will start in 8 Cancel

Latest news straight to your inbox Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Temperatures will hit a searing 18C in Britain this week as the UK is treated to an unseasonable warmth.

An "African plume" is set to sweep, sending the mercury skyrocketing as forecasters predict the hottest spring since records began.

Record-breaking spring warmth could see the temperatures hit 20C in some places this week.

Meteorologists say April could see highs of a staggering 26C.

England and Wales will see temperatures as high as 18C by Thursday this week as a blast of hot air from the Sahara sweeps.

Unfortunately, Birmingham will have to wait a little while longer for those high temperatures, as the city is hit by highs in the mid-teens.

Regardless, the predictions have not stopped bookmakers slashing the odds on the season being the hottest yet.

The Met Office said a much warmer-than-usual March to May is five times more likely than much cooler conditions.

Coral cut odds on spring being the hottest on record from 4/1 to 5/4 with spokesman Harry Aitkenhead saying: "Punters believe a sizzling spring is ahead."

The Weather Outlook forecaster Brian Gaze said: "With computer models strongly favouring a warm spring, there is potential for the record for the hottest spring to be challenged.

"In April, 22C highs are likely in Scotland.

"Plumes of warm air from Africa are expected.

"And there is an increased chance of a hot and settled summer due to the trend for more high pressure, which brings hot conditions in summer."

Monday will be a fine but chilly start across the West Midlands leading to a dry and sunny day.

Feeling pleasant in the sunshine with light breezes with a maximum temperature of 13C, before temperatures plunge overnight to a minimum of 1C.

After a pleasant evening, a mixture of cloud and clear spells are expected overnight.

It will remain dry but chilly with a few patches of fog forming towards dawn.

Tuesday is expected to be generally cloudier than Monday, but still plenty of sunny spells throughout the day.

Feeling pleasant in any sunshine with a light breeze and the rest of the week will remain dry with light breezes and a mixture of cloud and sunny spells.

Rather chilly overnight, but warm by day, particularly Thursday.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

On Friday and Saturday settled weather continues to prevail across central and southern parts, bringing dry but often cloudy weather.

Any rain is likely to be confined to the north and northwest where it may be windy with a risk of gales.

Going through the following week, many areas are likely to turn more generally unsettled.

Cloudier, wetter and breezier conditions across the northwest are likely to move southeastwards at times, but tend to fragment as they do so, meaning relatively little rain for parts of the southeast.

Brighter, showery interludes will also affect the north, with the showers bringing some hill snow here.

Some warm spells in the south at first, otherwise temperatures are likely be around normal, with some colder interludes possible, particularly in the north.

(Image: Birmingham Post And Mail)

The Met Office three-month forecast said: "For March-May, above-average temperatures are more likely than below-average.

"The probability UK average temperatures will fall into the warmest of our five categories is 50 per cent. The coldest category is 10 per cent.

"Some long-range prediction systems indicate an increased chance of high pressure to the south of the UK."