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Own Correspondent: If you are in Britain its time to DUST off the barbecue and hang up the trusty winter coats as you look set to bask in a three-month heatwave the Zimbaabwean style – with highs of 26C possible next month.

Plumes of warm air from Africa are expected to send temperatures “well above average” for spring, with bookies slashing odds on Britain’s hottest ever spring.

A British Met Office spokesperson told British media at the weekend that “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.”

The Weather Outlook’s Brian Gaze added: “With computer models strongly favouring a warm spring, there is potential for the record for the hottest spring to be challenged.

“Highs of 26C are likely in April. 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.”

This week will be pleasant for most, with sunny spells across the country. There will be isolated showers in the north and west.

The BBC has forecast the mercury will hit 18C by Friday.

Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell said: “It is warming up – it’s not going to be exceptionally warm but it’ll be better than the past couple of days.

“On Monday it will be around 13C, which is slightly cooler than the 15C we had on Sunday, but won’t feel too bad.

“A band of high pressure will mean it will be dry across most of the country, with patches of cloud in some places but with sunny spells.

“The best sunshine will be in the south and east, continuing through to Friday.

“Some of northern Scotland could see some drizzle but that won’t affect many people.

“The weather will turn a bit more unsettled by the weekend, but it should be turning nicer as we head into April.”

The warm weather comes just a week after flooding blighted the north, with heavy rainfall and high river levels in the Midlands and northern England.

Source Daily Sun UK