DORSET looks set to bask in temperatures on a par with southern Spain – after the sea mists have cleared that is.

Today could see temperatures hit 19 degrees in Dorchester and 18 degrees.

But the warm temperatures could lead to more sea mist.

Over the last couple of days eerie sea mists have been swirling along the Jurassic Coast, making for dramatic pictures and some hazardous driving conditions.

The mists form as warm air moves across the colder seas.

When this happens, the cold air just above the sea's surface cools the warm air above it until it can no longer hold its moisture and so forces it to condense forming tiny particles of water which forms the fog.

While Dorset looks set for temperatures of around 19 degrees, southern Spain will be enjoying similar temperatures- Tarifa on the coast will be 20 degrees, while the UK's Gibraltar will see 18 degrees.

Temperatures in Dorset are above average for the time of year, which normally sees temperatures just nudging over 11 degrees.

The Met Office is predicting the warmer temperatures will hang around for a while to come as well, meaning that Dorset will see another sunny weekend on the way.

Nicky Maxey from the Met Office said: “We are looking at higher temperatures - we are certainly looking at the high teens.

“Dorchester might see 19 degrees – on the coast temperatures are likely to stay a little bit lower. You get the sea breezes.”

She added that a colder front was on its way from Scotland, bringing rain.

Mrs Maxey said: “It will slowly move down the country. It’s unlikely to bring rain with it to Dorset, but behind it there is some colder air.”

There will be some cooler temperatures on Thursday and Friday of around 13-14 degrees, but it will still be warmer than normal for April.

Friday could also be a little cloudy with the possibility of showers, but then the sun will be back out for the weekend. Mrs Maxey said: “We are looking at similar temperatures across the weekend, about 13-14 degrees but it will still be warm even though we have slightly cooler temperatures, we are looking at either sunshine or patchy sunshine”

Towards the end of the month, temperatures will cool, and there will be a greater probability of rain and stronger winds.

Moving into the first half of May conditions will be changeable before turning warm again.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “Some spells of fine and dry weather are likely, perhaps with the best of these over southern and eastern parts.

“Periods of cloudier weather with rain or showers are also likely at times, perhaps more likely in the north and west."

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e: catherine.bolado@dorsetecho.co.uk

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