Don’t put away those sun hats just yet, the region is set for another warm day tomorrow with temperatures hitting a possible 26C (78F) – but the rain is returning on Thursday.

Ipswich Star: An umbrella may be called for on Thursday Picture: ISTOCKAn umbrella may be called for on Thursday Picture: ISTOCK (Image: Archant)

Suffolk and north Essex will enjoy a warm day tomorrow with plenty of sunshine although it is expected to become breezier as the day goes on.

Temperatures are likely to be around the 22C/23C mark, but there is a chance that parts of the region could be even hotter.

Rain is expected to return for much of Thursday, but is predicted to clear by the middle of the afternoon.

Temperatures will also be much lower on Thursday, around the 17C (62F) mark before rising again on Friday and over the weekend.

Ipswich Star: Southwold in the sunshine Picture: HILARY PLATTSSouthwold in the sunshine Picture: HILARY PLATTS (Image: Archant)

Claire Nasir, meteorologist for the Met Office, said: “It’s not a bad start to the day, particularly for East Anglia.

“The highest temperatures again will be towards the east and south-east, coming in at 25C/26C.”

People could wake up to rain on Thursday, with the wetter weather forecast to hit western parts of the region around 6am before heading eastwards.

Julie Reinger, weather forecaster with BBC Look East, said: “After midnight on Wednesday, I think we are going to see thicker cold and rain associated with a cold front pushing in the from the west.

“So Thursday actually gets off to a cloudy start with widespread rain with drier and brighter conditions following in behind for Thursday afternoon and evening with just an isolated shower.

“It will feel noticeably cooler, with highs of only 19C/20C, which actually is about average for the time of year, but about four or five degrees lower than the day before.”

Friday looks set to be a mainly dry, bright and breezy day and it will begin to feel warmer again.

Mrs Reinger added: “On Friday, I think we’re back to fine and dry conditions with temperatures starting to climb again.

“It looks like the largely settled conditions will continue into next week give or take one or two showers which could feed in from the west.”

According to the Met Office, the weekend is predicted to be mainly dry with sunny spells mixed in with some cloudy conditions.

Temperatures over the weekend are forecast to be in the 23C/24C range.

The largely dry and bright weather is expected to stay around into next week with brief interludes of cloud and rain.