TEMPERATURES in Birmingham soared over the weekend, drawing out sun-seekers from across the city.

However, forecasters have warned that the mini-heatwave is due to end over the coming days.

The mercury crept as high as 22C (71.6F) on Saturday, a staggering 10C higher than the average temperature for April.

And the early summer blast continued yesterday as sunbathers enjoyed the 20C heat.

Rebekah Sherwin, forecaster for the Met Office, said temperatures would drop to normal levels for April as the week went on.

“The average temperature for the time of year is 12.5C,” she said. “But it’s not unusual for these sorts of temperatures in April.

“Temperatures in Birmingham are normally around 12C. We have had very warm air from the Atlantic, it’s a similar story throughout Europe.

“Temperatures for today will be about 16C, then they will be down to around 13C or 14C on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Across Birmingham, barbecues were dusted off for the first time of the year and city bars and restaurants were packed with customers seeking some alfresco dining.

Supermarkets reported a surge in the sales of sausages and burgers and motoring organisations estimated traffic on the roads was around 20 per higher than usual as families flocked to the coast.

But Miss Sherwin warned the fabled April showers could make a return to the city as early as today.

She added: “The beginning of the working week will see unsettled weather. We may see rain and the odd shower. By midweek temperatures will fall back to usual for this time of year.”

Despite the spike, holidaymakers in southern France and Spain were still basking in even higher temperatures of between 27 and 30oC.

Email your pictures of the weekend heatwave to picturedesk@birminghammail.net and the best ones could feature in the Birmingham Mail’s It’s All Yours section