Severe weather warnings for parts of UK as Hurricane Ernesto remnants set to bring 60mph winds

The remnants of Hurricane Ernesto are set to batter parts of the UK, bringing heavy rain and up to 60mph winds, the Met Office has warned.

Three yellow weather warnings for rain in Scotland have been issued for this week, with up to 15cm (6in) expected within 24 hours for some areas.

Ernesto ripped through the North Atlantic last week, with maximum winds of 85mph leaving hundreds of thousands of people in Puerto Rico and Bermuda without power.

From Monday afternoon, heavy and persistent rain is forecast for southwest Scotland and the Lothian borders.

As much as 6cm (2.3in) is predicted, along with strong southerly winds.

The yellow warning includes the risk of flooding on roads, affecting journey times and causing travel disruption.

See the five-day forecast for your area

Sky News weather producer Kirsty McCabe said: "Next week's weather will feel quite autumnal for some of us as the jet stream dips south steering low pressure systems our way.

"As Ernesto tracks northeastwards off the east coast of Canada, it is set to transition into an extra-tropical system early next week.

"The remains of the ex-hurricane are then likely to head to our shores as part of a complex low-pressure system, but there is a lot of uncertainty on the exact track and timings."

At the moment, it looks like northern and western parts of the UK will be wettest and windiest, forecasters say.

Another yellow rain warning is in place for parts of western Scotland from 9am on Wednesday until 6pm on Thursday.

As much as 15cm (6in) of rain could fall in places, accompanied by strong gusts approaching 60mph.

High spring tides could make the coastal impacts worse.

The Met Office said there is a small chance "large waves could result in injuries and danger to life".

In addition, forecasters have warned of a small risk of some communities becoming "cut off by flooded roads".

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The jet stream does not just bring low pressure weather systems to the UK - it is predicted smoke from North American wildfires could "enhance" sunsets and sunrises across Britain.

Ms McCabe said: "Tropical storms and hurricanes often influence the strength and position of the jet stream and subsequently our weather in the UK.

"We're now entering the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, so further tropical cyclone activity and extra-tropical transitions could have an impact on our weather from now to late September."