HOT WEATHER MAP: Shock UK temperature chart shows SCORCHING HEAT to blast in NEXT WEEK

A swathe of steamy air will sweep in from the south via Africa after the weekend pushing temperatures into the upper teens – around 10C higher than this week.

Tropical Continental air originating from Italy will then charge in from the east around mid-week giving the nation a further balmy boost.

Temperatures are expected  to rocket into the high 70Fs from Wednesday heralding the start of a lengthy spell of glorious weather.

Weather charts show Britain engulfed in a fusion of warm sultry air from Europe and Africa bringing an end to the grey skies and rain.

Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell said: “Towards the middle of next week it is going to turn warm, or even very warm as the weather turns much drier and more settled.

“At the start of the week there will be some rain but temperatures will start to rise with highs in the mid to upper teens.

“Eastern regions will be slightly warmer because here is where we expect to see the best of the clear skies and bright conditions.

“By the time we get to Wednesday it will get much drier and more settled as high pressure extends across the country.

“This is when temperatures will really creep up and we are expecting some warm weather on the way.

“At the start of the week it will be tropical maritime air which arrives before the airflow turns more easterly bringing tropical continental air into the UK.”

Next week is likely to bring the warmest spell of the year so far after Saturday saw temperatures nudge 20C (68F) in parts of the country.

Low pressure close to the UK through the start of the week brought a return to grey skies and rain dampening spirits after the weekend teaser.

Independent forecasters agree Britain’s weather its about to undergo a dramatic transformation as spring finally shows its hand.

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: “For the first time for a long period there will not be a spec of snow around, and there is none in the forecast for the coming weeks.

“We are about to see a significant change as high pressure becomes dominant, next week is most likely to see temperatures rise above the 19.7C (67.5F) recorded at the weekend.

Some weather models show temperatures pushing 25C (77F) over the course of the next seven days.

Piers Corbyn, forecaster for WeatherAction, said: “It is certainly going to turn much warmer, and over the weekend or early to mid-week we could see a 25C (77F) at some point.

“We should note that there will be some chilly nights, however there is a considerable change in the weather on the way.”

Bookies have once again taken the axe to hot weather odds amid forecasts temperatures are about soar.

Ladbrokes is offering 2-7 on 20C (68F) or higher this weekend and next week with 3-1 from 5-1 on 25C (77F).

Spokeswoman Jessica Bridge said: “It seems like this month could break a whole host of weather records, but thankfully the thermometer looks set to sizzle once this last blast of the rain is out of the way.”

Netweather forecasts Jo Farrow said: “As we head through next week, high pressure looks to build close to the east with low pressure systems stalling out the west over the Atlantic – which could drag up some rather warm air from way to the south, sending temperatures into the low twenties across many parts by Wednesday afternoon.”

The Met Office’s long-range forecast said warm weather is likely to continue into the second half of April although it will turn more unsettled in parts.

It states: “By mid-week [next week] it will probably become more widely settled with some dry and sunny weather. 

“Western areas will, however be more likely to see some stronger winds and occasional showers. 

“By next weekend generally fine and dry conditions are most likely to be in place with above-average temperatures.”