Hurricane Kirk set to bring snow, heavy rain and strong winds to the UK
The tail end of Hurricane Kirk could bring snow to parts of the UK as the category four storm moves closer.
A blast of wind and rain is due to hit Britain next week as the major storm strengthens across the Atlantic and edges closer to northwest Europe.
The potentially disruptive weather is due to start midweek, with the Met Office warning from Tuesday: ‘The forecast period looks most likely to be mostly unsettled, with frequent bouts of wind and rain associated with areas of low pressure.
‘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.’
The Met Office said a band of rain, which could be heavy at times, will form part of a blustery Sunday that has sunny spells and heavy showers and top temperatures of about 18C.
Hurricane Kirk is currently maintaining category 4 strength in the central North Atlantic Ocean.
Chris Bulmer, the Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist, 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.’
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