Hurricane Kirk could blanket UK in snow as five areas 'set for polar blast'

The Met Office has been unable to rule out snow in the UK in mid-October, after a senior meteorologist suggested that wintry showers could hit parts of the country

Temperatures in October are expected to plummet sharply, with forecasters predicting snowfall in several regions.

The chilly conditions are anticipated due to Hurricane Kirk, which is currently sweeping across the US. The powerful category 4 hurricane is generating winds of up to 145mph and is set to remain a significant force over the ocean for the coming days.

There are five areas identified that are predicted to experience the harshest weather. These include locations within the West Midlands conurbation, and a senior meteorologist also believes that swathes of Wales, the Cotswolds, Hampshire, and the Lake District could see snow showers.

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New maps from WX Charts have revealed a dark purple mass over the British Isles, suggesting freezing temperatures ideal for snow. The WX Charts team is confident there will be snow cover on the higher terrain of the Lake District.

Meteorologist Jim Dale commented: "It's the cold backside of ex-hurricane Kirk, which by then may have become Storm Ashley.", reports the Mirror.

He anticipates wintry conditions in certain UK areas around Friday, October 11.

However, the Met Office has provided a different perspective, stating that while temperatures will drop in mid-October, substantial snowfall is not likely. This view diverges from Mr Dale's predictions, who is associated with British Weather Services.

Temperatures across the UK are expected to drop sharply from the 18C high experienced on Friday, as reported by the Met Office in Santon Downham, Suffolk, plunging into single figures and even hitting freezing levels in certain areas. However, snow seems set to grace only Scottish mountain peaks between Wednesday October 9 and Friday October 18.

The Met Office's long-range prediction suggests: "Scotland and Northern Ireland are more likely to quickly turn colder with showers, and the colder weather (perhaps some snow on Scottish mountains) will most likely gradually work its way south. A more settled interlude is then possible but further spells of wind and rain, again with a focus across southern areas, are likely to arrive from the west during the following week with temperatures returning to around average."

According to the Met Office forecasters, the remnants of Hurricane Kirk could stir up wet and windy conditions for many regions. This comes on the heels of a notably soggy interval, culminating in intense rainfall across Northern Ireland last Friday.

Chris Bulmer, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, remarked: "Kirk over the North Atlantic will lose its status as a hurricane early next week before being swept towards northwest Europe. The resulting low pressure system will still have the potential to bring disruptive rain and winds to some areas, including parts of the UK, from the middle of next week."

"There remains much detail to work out on the exact track and timing of the system. Across the UK, parts of England and Wales look to have the greatest risk of heavy rain and strong winds during Wednesday and Thursday. However, a more southward track of this system, which is equally plausible at this stage, would see the most disruptive conditions impact France. The need for warnings will be kept under review over the coming days, so it's important to stay up to date with the latest forecast."