Snow could hit parts of the UK as the remnants of Hurricane Kirk hit British shores, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.
Hurricane Kirk has strengthened into a category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean, and while it is not directly heading towards Britain, it will trigger a spell of unsettled weather and a drop in temperatures across parts of the country next week.
In its latest long-range forecast, for between 8 and 17 October, the Met Office said: “The forecast period looks most likely to be mostly unsettled, with frequent bouts of wind and rain associated with areas of low pressure.
“Frequent showers, especially over southern areas, at first, will probably (but not definitely, at this range) give way to more widespread rain and strong winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Kirk later in the week.
“Scotland and Northern Ireland are more likely to quickly turn colder with showers, and the colder weather (perhaps some sleet/snow on Scottish mountains) will most likely gradually work its way south following the clearance of ex-Kirk.
“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 towards the end of the period.”
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The Met Office outlook for the weekend is a mix of sunshine and showers for many.
Saturday is set to be dry with sunny spells for most. Cloud and patchy rain is forecast for Northern Ireland and western Scotland, turning heavier as it reaches western England and Wales by the evening.
It will be humid on Sunday as a band of rain, which will turn heavy at times, spreads eastwards through the day.
From midweek, Hurricane Kirk “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 Met Office.
Chris Bulmer, deputy chief meteorologist, said: “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.”
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Heavy rain, high winds and flooding in recent weeks have caused widespread travel disruption and flooded hundreds of properties and farmland.
Large parts of England and Wales were hit with heavy downpours at the start of the week, with Met Office figures showing 10 English counties experienced their wettest September on record.
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Southern England had its wettest September since 1918, and its third wettest in records dating back to 1836.
England saw 95% above-average rainfall and Wales had 37% more for the month. Scotland was 37% below average and Northern Ireland was 18% down.
