Londoners have been warned “isolated tornadoes” are possible on Sunday as the city prepare to be battered by heavy rain and strong winds as the tail end of Hurricane Kirk hits the country.
The Tornado and Storm Research Organisation said Sunday would see “showery rain” as well as “gusty winds” and “hail.
It said: “Additionally, isolated tornadoes are possible”.
That will be followed by more wet weather from mid-week according to the Met Office when the remnant of the major storm it sweeps across the Atlantic towards northwest Europe.
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.”
Strong winds and heavy rainfall could be on the cards during a period that is set to be “mostly unsettled,” according to the forecaster.
In a long range forecast covering 9-18 October, it added: “Frequent showers, especially over southern areas, at first, will probably give way to more widespread rain and strong winds associated with the remnants of Hurricane Kirk mid to late in the week.
“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.”
