Met Office issues update on Hurricane Kirk warning of 'disruptive' wind and rain

The Met Office is continuing to track Hurricane Kirk warning it could lead to 'disruptive' weather in the UK next week.

The hurricane, which is currently over the Atlantic, poses a threat of bringing heavy rain and strong winds as it heads towards the UK and northwest Europe.

The Met Office said Kirk will no longer be a hurricane when it does reach Europe - but that it could lead to heavy rain and strong winds next Wednesday and Thursday.

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Chris Bulmer, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “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."

Chris added: "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.”

The Met Office said that if Kirk does track over the UK much of England and Wales will be most at risk of heavy rain and disruptive winds. Northern England, southeast Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland could also see less disruptive weather.

By the time Kirk potentially reaches waters near the UK, it will have lost its power and be known as ‘ex-hurricane Kirk’. If the weather system reaches the criteria for naming it a storm due to its possible impacts, it would be known as Storm Kirk