Met Office says Hurricane Kirk set to bring more horrible weather to UK

Shannon Brown

2 October 2024 at 0:01 pm·2-min read

Hurricane Kirk, currently traversing the Atlantic, may lead to more unpredictable weather in the UK towards the latter part of next week, according to the Met Office. Forecasters have indicated that by the time it reaches British shores, the storm will no longer be classified as a hurricane.

The South West has been hit hard by wet weather and gusty winds over recent weeks, causing a large amount of flooding and travel disruption in the region. It has also led to sewage discharges at beaches across the county.

The Met Office's deputy chief meteorologist, Tony Wisson, said: "Hurricane Kirk is currently in the tropical Atlantic. It is expected to move north into cooler waters, where it will lose a lot of its strength, but maintain its identity as a moderately deep low pressure system."

He further explained the complexities involved when a hurricane transitions into an 'extra tropical' system, stating: "There are complex processes involved when a hurricane undergoes what is known as 'extra tropical transition'. This results in a lot of variability in the forecast, which means that predictability is low at longer lead times. Therefore, confidence in any one scenario is very low."

Wisson also outlined potential outcomes, saying: "There are a few apparent scenarios. One scenario suggests that this low pressure system could come close to, or even cross, the UK by Wednesday or Thursday next week.''

He added that if the system does make its way across the UK, it would still be referred to as 'ex-Hurricane Kirk' after losing its hurricane status.

Tony suggests that this could result in heavy rainfall and strong winds in certain areas. However, it remains uncertain whether the remnants of Hurricane Kirk will actually hit the UK, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Tony further explained: "Another scenario is for the low pressure system to stay further west in the mid-Atlantic, keeping much of the associated rain and wind away from the UK. Other possibilities are also apparent, but we need to wait until we have more information, to determine which scenario will win out."

As for this tonight in the South West, the Met Office predicts: "Clear skies developing overnight with patchy rain moving south."

Over the course of this evening and tomorrow the forecaster says: "Cloudy at first with a few lingering showers on the south coast, but soon turning drier through this evening with clear skies developing overnight. Feeling cooler as a result, with mist and patchy fog forming across the moors by dawn. Minimum temperature 8C."

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