A steamy summer of 30C sizzles and storms is ahead, forecasters have predicted.
Britain is set to bask in its first proper sustained spell of warm weather over the next week.
But weather experts say the baking conditions will properly kick into gear next month. The Met Office long-range outlook said much-warmer-than-normal temperatures up to the start of July were two-and-a-half times more likely than cooler conditions.
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And bookmakers Coral has cut odds on this summer being the hottest on record from 2/1 to 1/3 odds on.
(Image: Getty Images)
Coral spokesman John Hill said: “The odds on a record-hot summer are melting faster than an ice cream in the sun.”
However we may also get storms.
The Met Office also said wet conditions were 50% more likely.
It said: “There is a slightly increased chance compared to normal of a warm season. There is a moderately increased chance of a wet season.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The Weather Outlook said computer forecasts back swelters ahead, but also stormy spells.
Forecaster Brian Gaze said: “A very warm summer with an increased chance of stormy interludes is favoured.”
Half a month’s rain in just 60 minutes today (May 6) saw Bank Holiday thunderstorms flood chaos as holidaymakers quit resorts early.
And a day-long deluge from 8am in parts of South and North saw roads jammed out of West Country as weekend trippers headed home early due to rain.
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