Hottest June in history - bookies slash odds
Bookies have slashed the odds on Britain enjoying the hottest June on record as forecasters say a heatwave will send temperatures soaring.
Rain and gales will be replaced by blazing sunshine with the mercury expected to hit 28C (82F), perhaps as soon as next weekend, rivalling resorts in the Mediterranean.
Bookmakers Coral say that with the fine weather expected to last all month "we think it could be the hottest in British history". WORDS: PA.
Coral has cut the odds on Britain having the hottest June since records began in 1910 to 3-1 from 5-1 amid predictions a heatwave will sweep the nation.
And they have given odds of 10-1 that the UK mainland temperature exceeds 100F (37.8C) while it's 12-1 that the UK record temperature high of 38.5C (101.3F) is broken.
And there is good news for tennis fans as Coral is giving odds of 6-1 that Wimbledon will be entirely rain-free this year.
Ladbrokes has also slashed odds of June being the hottest on record from 20-1 to 6-1, while they have cut the odds for it being the hottest summer on record from 2-1 to 6-4.
Nicola McGeady, from Coral, said: "After a disappointing May, the odds suggest that summer is finally arriving. With sizzling temperatures expected to last throughout June, we think it could be the hottest in British history."
Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: "When it comes to June being an absolute scorcher, all bets are off. Temperatures of 30C (86F) or even more look well within reach as we look set to sizzle all month long."
As it stands the hottest June on record was in 1976, when the mercury soared to 35.6 (96F) in Southampton.
The 1976 heatwave went down in history as one of the driest, sunniest and warmest summers on record, plunging the country into a severe drought.
A hosepipe ban was imposed as emergency measures to conserve water were introduced - while a bumper sticker telling people to "Save Water, Bath With A Friend" did the rounds.
Met Office forecaster Marco Petagna said: "It is a real contrast in weather from the early part to the end of the week.
"Tomorrow and Tuesday will be cool and often wet and windy. But then the high pressure starts to build across the UK and it certainly becomes very warm and locally hot in the South.
"Wednesday is the transition day from the unsettled to the better weather with temperatures reaching around 20C (68F) in the South.
"Friday into the weekend will see a much bigger increase with strong sunshine. Certainly it is good weather for getting out and about.
"May so far has been cool and the temperatures below average, so it is quite a contrast - a big change in the coming week."
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