Britain could see its hottest spring since records began with temperatures expected to soar well above average across the country through most of the season.
The Met Office is predicting glorious weather for the three months until June starting with potentially record-breaking spring warmth this week.
By Thursday most of the UK will experience temperatures in the high teens, and they could even hit 20C in places with prolonged periods of sunshine, say forecasters.
Spring temperatures could hit 26C in April thanks to plumes of warm air from Africa, and the extended forecasts suggests summer could be hot and settled.
Monday got off to a crisp start which will lead to a fine and bright day across much of England and Wales, the Met Office said.
Isolated showers are expected in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
In the evening, showers will be confined to the far northwest and an overnight frost is likely under clearer skies in the south.
Tuesday will be a fine day with sunny spells except in the north where it will be cloudier with rain in the far northwest.
Dry weather is likely from Wednesday with the best of the sunshine in the south and east of the UK.
The northwest will continue to see wetter and breezier weather.
The Met Office said a much warmer-than-usual March to May is five times more likely than much cooler conditions.
'Well above average' UK temperatures over spring – a category which includes 2011 and 2017's hottest springs since records began – is a 50 per cent probability, compared to 10 per cent for 'well below average' temperatures.
Bookmakers Coral cut odds on spring being the hottest on record from 4/1 to 5/4.
Coral spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: "Punters believe a sizzling spring is ahead."
Scotland could see 22C next month.
April saw 21-23C highs in Scotland in three of the past four years, Met Office records show.
The warm forecast is a boost for Scots planning for Easter holidays and May Bank Holidays.
Hot air from Africa is set to raise temperatures, pulled north by high pressure south of UK, forecasters said.
A roasting summer is also on the cards this year, The Weather Outlook said.
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."
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."
March is already 2.2C warmer-than-usual in central England, Met Office figures show.
The hottest UK springs since records began 109 years ago in 1910 were 2011 and 2017, which both averaged 9.15C.
Sunday's hot spot was St James's Park in central London, which saw a high of 15.1C, while the sunniest was Lyneham in Wiltshire, which basked in 11.5 hours of sunshine.
Met Office five-day weather forecast
The next five days will be fine with sunny spells for many, the Met Office says.
Monday
It will be a crisp start for many, leading to a fine and bright day across much of England and Wales.
Cloud will thicken across the northwest, with isolated showers through the day in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Monday night
Showers will be restricted to the far northwest overnight.
It will be generally cloudy across the north, a frost is likely where it remains clearer in the south.
Tuesday
A frosty start in the south, then a fine day with sunny spells.
Generally cloudier across the north with showery rain continuing in the far northwest.
Warm in any sunshine.
Wednesday to Friday
Largely dry throughout.
Often fairly cloudy but with some sunshine, particularly towards the south and east.
Occasionally wetter and breezier far northwest.
Warming up, before cooler from the north later.
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