Brits face snow blast as aftermath of Hurricane Kirk set to hit UK

4 October 2024, 16:11

Snow could hit parts of the UK as the remnants of Hurricane Kirk hit British shores, bringing a period of unsettled weather.

Hurricane Kirk has strengthened into a category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean but will have lost its status as a hurricane by the time it reaches northwest Europe.

Despite this, it will trigger a spell of wet and windy weather and a drop in temperatures across parts of the country in the middle of next week, with parts of Scotland potentially seeing snow.

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."

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.

Read more: Where and when to see the Northern Lights as aurora borealis could return to UK this week

Read more: Exact date rain to end and sunshine to return after 'wettest September in over a century'

"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 outlook for the weekend is a mix of sunshine and showers for many with Saturday set to be dry with sunny spells for most.

It will be humid on Sunday as a band of rain, which will turn heavy at times, spreads eastwards through the day.

Heavy rain and flooding has caused widespread disruption in recent weeks with Met Office figures showing ten English counties experienced their wettest September on record.

Southern England had its wettest September since 1918, and its third wettest in records dating back to 1836.