The mercury narrowly missed the 30C mark today, making it one of the hottest days of the year for the county.

Weather enthusiast Jim Smith recorded a peak temperature of 29.8C in Bournemouth earlier this afternoon.

He said the town had experienced its hottest August day in 13 years. 

“We were agonisingly short of 30C and topping the record high of 30.1C achieved in July.

“Usually on the coast, the sea breeze tends to bring temperatures down, but the prevailing winds were still blowing from the north this afternoon, which helped us manage such high temperatures.”

The clear, sunny skies have since clouded over, though, and showery spells, and possibly thunderstorms, are set to make their way over the county this evening.

However, temperatures are set to remain in the early to mid-20s for the rest of the week as one final surge of heat hits the county.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said it would be “warm and muggy tonight with thundery showers spreading northeastwards” across the South West region.

They added: “The showers may be heavier at times, before clearing eastwards during the early hours.”

On Thursday, it will be a “bright and warm day with plenty of hazy cloud and some sunny spells. Scattered heavy showers may develop through the afternoon, becoming more widespread by the evening.”