Hurricane Kirk update as torrential wind and rain nears UK

The ex-hurricane is moving its way across the Atlantic and heading towards Europe meaning we will see temperatures plummet in its wake

Forecasters have been closely watching the track of Hurricane Kirk as it moves across the Atlantic. There have been concerns that it poses a threat of bringing disruptive rain and wind for some, though it will have lost its status as a hurricane by the time it reaches northwest Europe.

According to the latest forecasts, it looks like parts of France will bear the brunt of any stormy weather, but the resulting low pressure could still bring some heavy rain and high winds to parts of the UK from the middle of the week.

What the Met Office forecast does know is that it will turn colder by the weekend. The agency's forecast for Wales this week says that it will turn windier on Wednesday and become colder on Thursday and Friday, with the possibility of overnight frosts.

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Looking to Wednesday and BBC forecaster Elizabeth Rizzini says; "Wednesday's weather needs watching. A deep area that contains the remnants of Hurricane Kirk looks set at the moment to affect northern France with strong winds and heavy rain. Some of that rain could move into parts of the UK.

"We are also likely to see some blustery conditions down North Sea facing coasts as that low pulls away and then it will turn a lot colder."

Here is the Met Office forecast for Wales this week:

Monday:

Showery rain clearing the north and any mist lifting to leave some sunny spells. Scattered showers developing, these locally heavy. Clouding over in the south and west later with rain arriving by late afternoon. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine. Maximum temperature 16 °C.

Clouding over more widely this evening with rain, occasionally heavy, spreading north. Turning drier again by the early hours with low cloud and patchy fog developing. Staying relatively mild. Minimum temperature 8 °C.

Tuesday:

A misty and murky start for some, then brightening up with sunny intervals but plenty of heavy showers also developing. Slow-moving thundery downpours are possible in places. Temperatures above average. Maximum temperature 15 °C.

Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:

Sunny spells and fewer showers on Wednesday and turning windier. Colder on Thursday and Friday with cloudy periods and occasional sunny spells. Patchy fog and frost overnight as winds ease.

Chris Bulmer is a deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office and 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.

“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 longer range forecast for the UK shows a cold spell for most this weekend. The forecast for Friday, October 11 to Sunday, October 20, says: "A colder interlude across all areas of the UK as northerly winds push south bringing showers, these wintry across hills in the N. Perhaps a more organised spell of rain and stronger winds across Scotland especially as we head into the weekend, meanwhile southern areas are likely to see much drier conditions than of late with some sunshine by day.

It adds: "Temperatures below average, especially in the north with some overnight frost possible along with some patchy mist and fog. Later in the weekend likely to turn more unsettled once more with outbreaks of rain and some stronger winds expected to return to the northwest of the UK especially, although the southeast may well hang on to drier conditions throughout."