The aftermath of Hurricane Kirk, which has strengthened into a Category 4 storm in the Atlantic Ocean, is expected to bring unsettled weather to the UK next week, potentially including snow, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.
Though the storm itself is not directly heading towards Britain, its remnants are anticipated to trigger a significant cold spell and turbulent weather across parts of the country.
In its latest long-range forecast for the period between 8 and 17 October, the Met Office warned of “frequent bouts of wind and rain associated with areas of low pressure.” While the unsettled weather is likely to bring frequent showers, particularly across southern areas, a more widespread impact is expected from the remnants of Hurricane Kirk later in the week.
Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to see colder conditions sooner, with showers and potentially sleet or snow over the Scottish mountains. The colder weather is likely to gradually extend further south following the clearance of ex-Kirk. After this, a brief settled period may be possible before another spell of wind and rain arrives, particularly affecting southern areas.
The forecast for the upcoming weekend is a mix of sunshine and showers across the UK. Saturday is expected to be dry with sunny spells for most, though Northern Ireland and western Scotland may see cloud and patchy rain, which could turn heavier as it moves to western England and Wales by the evening. Sunday will likely be humid, with a band of heavy rain spreading eastwards throughout the day.
Midweek Threat from Hurricane Kirk’s Remnants
From midweek onwards, the remnants of Hurricane Kirk are expected to pose a risk of disruptive rain and winds across parts of the UK. While Kirk will no longer be a hurricane by the time it reaches northwest Europe, the resulting low-pressure system still has the potential to bring severe weather conditions to the British Isles.
Chris Bulmer, deputy chief meteorologist at the Met Office, 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.”
He noted that while the exact track and timing of the system are still uncertain, it appears that parts of England and Wales have the greatest risk of heavy rain and strong winds during Wednesday and Thursday. However, a more southerly track could mean that the worst of the conditions impact France rather than the UK.
“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,” Mr. Bulmer added.
