WARMER weather is set to make a brief return today with temperatures of 26C “possible”.

Dorset Sun said today could be one of the warmest days of the year so far with potential for highs of 25C or 26C.

Friday will be mostly sunny with highs of 23C expected, according to the Met Office forecast.

Saturday will see things take a cloudier turn with highs of 21C, while Sunday will see more in the way of sunshine.

Next week looks settled with sunny spells and temperatures around 21C.

Between July 20 and 29, the Met Office says: “Patchy cloud and sunny spells on Monday with the south staying largely dry. Showers are possible elsewhere however, especially in the north and northwest where there will be a cool breeze also. Most areas will be mostly dry into the middle of next week, beyond which it is likely that the settled conditions will continue for many central and southern areas, bringing dry weather and sunny spells here.

“Northern and northwestern parts will probably turn increasingly unsettled with spells of rain accompanied by stronger winds at times. Later in the period there is a chance that the unsettled conditions across the north may spread more widely across the rest of the UK. Temperatures near or slightly above average but perhaps warm or at times very warm in the south.”