The UK is bracing for heavy wind and rain as the remnants of Hurricane Kirk make their way towards the country. The recent severe flooding across parts of England has left towns and villages cut off due to the wet weather. As a low-pressure system moves in from across the Atlantic, the rain and wind are expected to return.
Although Kirk was a major hurricane, it is set to weaken over the next few days and transform into a more typical low-pressure system by the time it reaches northwest Europe on Wednesday and Thursday. The storm, now an ex-hurricane, is still forecasted to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the region. There is a possibility that it could be named Storm Kirk if it meets the UK criteria for a storm.
The exact track and intensity of Kirk are uncertain, but models suggest heavy rain and strong damaging winds could hit northern France, possibly extending as far south as northern Spain. There is a 15% chance of 50mm (2in) of rain over southeast England, with a lower chance of double that amount, although these predictions are subject to change. The Met Office is also considering issuing weather warnings.
Monday and Tuesday will see a mix of sunshine and showers, with the heaviest showers expected in the west. Conditions will be drier in the east until the remnants of Kirk arrive later in the week. The Met Office has warned that the rain could become disruptive.
Currently, there are five flood warnings and 26 flood alerts in place. However, regions at risk of flooding are not necessarily the areas with the highest risk of heavy rainfall from Kirk. Although forecasters had suggested a chance of seeing the Northern Lights in parts of the UK over the weekend due to a large solar flare emitted by the Sun, visibility was hampered by rain and clouds.
As the UK prepares for the arrival of the remnants of Hurricane Kirk, residents are urged to stay informed about weather updates and take necessary precautions to stay safe during the expected heavy rain and strong winds. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing weather situation.