HOT weather is here to stay for the next few days – and it could get even warmer.

The mercury peaked at 28.2c in Bournemouth on Sunday on what was the hottest day of the year so far.

Speaking on Sunday, Bournemouth-based weather enthusiast Bournemouth & Poole Weather said: "Max temp today officially was 28.2C, although I suspect those places west of the airport and a little inland, Broadstone, Wimborne, Canford Heath etc were probably over 30C with more shelter from the sea breeze.”

By 8pm on Sunday, the temperature was still a balmy 25.4c.

However, the next few days could potentially be even hotter.

Bournemouth & Poole Weather said: “What looked like two or three warm days a couple of days back now looks like it could be a notable heatwave. Some forecast models going for 33C in parts of Dorset tomorrow and 30C+ to at least Thursday.”

Here’s what the forecast looks like according to the Met Office:

Monday, July 19

Unbroken sunshine with highs of 29c

7am – 19c

10am – 25c

1pm – 27c

4pm – 28c

7pm – 26c

10pm – 22c

Tuesday, July 20

Sunny, highs of 24c

7am – 18c

10am – 22c

1pm – 24c

4pm – 24c

7pm – 22c

10pm – 19c

Wednesday, July 21

Sunny, highs of 23c

7am - 17c

10am - 21c

1pm - 23c

4pm - 23c

7pm - 21c

10pm - 18c

Thursday, July 22

Sunny with highs of 23c

7am - 18c

10am - 21c

1pm - 22c

4pm - 22c

7pm - 21c

10pm - 20c

Friday, July 23

Sunny intervals with light showers in the evening 

7am - 17c

10am - 20c

1pm - 22c

4pm - 22c

7pm - 21c, 30 per cent chance of light rain

10pm - 18c, 40 per cent chance of light rain