It could be the hottest summer in 12 years

COVENTRY could see its hottest summer in 12 years with sizzling UK temperatures hitting 33C.

The Met Office has said the country could expect a red hot July and August, perfect for World Cup barbecue parties.

This summer will be the hottest since 2006 as long as June to August has an average UK temperature at least 0.87C above the 14.3C summer average, Met Office records show.

Cov saw blazing sunshine on Sunday.

The mini-heatwave of the last week followed torrential downpours, thunder and lightning that battered the region last week - leading to flash flooding misery on the roads.

A Met Office spokesman said: “For JuneAugust, above-average temperatures are more likely than below-average temperatures.

“The probability the UK average temperature for June-August will fall into the warmest of our five categories is 40 per cent. The coldest of our five categories is around 5 per cent.

“The likelihood of above-average temperatures is greater than usual.

“The Met Office longrange prediction system shows a slightly increased chance of high-pressure patterns across the UK.”

Government forecasts show there is double the usual probability of this summer having a higher temperature than 2013’s 15.17C, which would make 2018 the hottest summer for a century.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes cut odds on this summer being the hottest on record to the shortest ever offered - just 5/2.

Spokesman Alex Apati said: “Punters and weathermen believe Britain will wilt.

“Odds on a record summer are shorter than ever.”

The national weather service is warning emergency services, transport leaders, business chiefs and councils of the risks of a hotter than normal three months.

Last year saw a grim school holidays season, while summer 2014 was ruined by rain following ex-Hurricane Bertha and 2012 had the wettest summer for 100 years.

But 2009 was a scorcher and 2006 saw a peak of 36.5C on July 19, in Wisley, Surrey.

Yet while this week will start off sunny in Coventry, there will be scattered showers on Thursday and cloudy skies on Friday.