After basking in hot sunny weather this week, the fine dry weather is set to continue into August with temperatures set to be above average.

This weekend will be dry at first, with sunny spells, however some thicker cloud could bring isolated heavy showers during the afternoon.It will stay warm, but feel cooler than recently along the west coast. The maximum temperature will be 27C.

On Sunday it will be cooler and cloudier with showery outbreaks of rain spreading south and a freshening breeze, before a return to dry and bright weather during Monday and Tuesday with variable cloud and sunny spells.

The Met Office long range forecast to Thursday, Aug 7, is for largely fine and dry weather to continue, with it "remaining warm or very warm for many, although sea breezes should keep some coastal parts a little fresher".

Adding: "During next week, lengthy periods of fine, dry and warm weather are likely, mainly over southern and southwestern areas. The last part of this period should be similar, although there are indications that the more unsettled weather in the north may extend further towards the south.

The outlook for Friday, August 8 to Friday, August 22, with the best of the drier, brighter spells in the south and east.

The forecast says that temperatures should remain above average initially, but returning to near normal later. A return to more settled conditions is looking likely towards the end of the period.