UK weather: Hurricane Kirk aftermath could bring snow, strong winds and heavy rain to UK coasts | British News

Parts of the UK could be hit by snow as the remnants of Hurricane Kirk hit British coasts, bringing strong winds and heavy rain.

Hurricane Kirk has become a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean and although it is not heading directly towards the UK, it will trigger a period of unsettled weather and a drop in temperatures in parts of the country next week.

In its latest long-range forecast for the period October 8-17, the Met Office said: “The forecast period is expected to be predominantly unsettled, with frequent bouts of wind and rain associated with areas of low pressure.”

“Frequent showers, particularly over southern areas, will likely (but not definitely in this area) lead to more widespread rainfall and strong winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Kirk later in the week.”

“Scotland and Northern Ireland are likely to get colder and rainy more quickly and the colder weather (perhaps some sleet/snow in the Scottish mountains) will most likely gradually work its way south following the clearance of the former Kirk area.

“A calmer interlude is then possible, but towards the end of the period further periods of wind and rain are likely to arrive from the west, again with a focus on southern areas.”

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The Met Office outlook for the weekend is a mix of sunshine and showers for many.

Saturday will remain mostly dry and sunny. Cloudy and patchy rain is forecast for Northern Ireland and western Scotland, becoming heavier in the evening as it reaches western England and Wales.

Sunday will be humid as a band of intermittently heavy rain spreads eastwards throughout the day.

As of midweek, Hurricane Kirk “poses the risk of bringing disruptive rain and wind” to some, although it will have lost its hurricane status by the time it reaches northwestern 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.”

“Many details still need to be worked out about the exact process and timing of the system. Across the UK, parts of England and Wales face the greatest risk of heavy rain and strong winds on Wednesday and Thursday.”

“However, a further southerly orientation of this system, which is equally plausible at this point, would result in France being affected by the most disruptive conditions. The need for warnings will be further reviewed in the coming days, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest forecast.”

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Heavy rain, strong winds and flooding have caused widespread travel disruption and flooded hundreds of properties and farmland in recent weeks.

Large parts of England and Wales were hit by heavy rain at the start of the week. Ten English counties experienced their wettest September on record, according to figures from the Met Office.

Southern England had its wettest September since 1918 and the third wettest since records began in 1836.

England received 95% above average rainfall this month and Wales received 37% more. Scotland was 37% below average and Northern Ireland was 18% below average.