BRITAIN is set to be hotter than Istanbul this week with balmy temperatures of at least 18C.

Forecasters have said the sunny spells are set to stay as a three-month heatwave is on the way.

In Turkey, the mercury will not pass a disappointing 9C on Friday, while temperatures are set to reach at least 18C in London.

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 Met Office spokesperson said: "For March-May, above-average temperatures are more likely than below-average.

HOTTEST SPRING YET?

"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."

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The Met Office said warm temperatures will stay throughout the week" with "dry and cloudy" conditions expected from Monday through to Wednesday.

On Friday, "warm sunny spellls" engulf the country on Friday temperatures will stay warm throughout the week.

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."

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.

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