The Met Office is closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Kirk as it approaches the UK, with potential heavy rain and strong winds on the horizon. The storm, which is currently a category four hurricane in the Atlantic, is expected to weaken as it moves towards northwest Europe. Ex-Hurricane Kirk is projected to make landfall in the UK by midweek and could bring disruptive weather conditions to parts of the country.
Chris Bulmer, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, highlighted that while Hurricane Kirk will lose its hurricane status early next week, it still poses a risk of heavy rain and strong winds for northwest Europe, including the UK. The exact trajectory and timing of the storm are yet to be determined, but England and Wales are currently at higher risk of experiencing the impact of the weather system. However, there is a possibility that the storm may take a more southerly route towards France instead.
The UK occasionally faces the remnants of hurricanes that have travelled to higher latitudes, no longer fueled by the warm ocean temperatures required for tropical storms. By the time ex-Hurricane Kirk reaches the UK waters, it will no longer possess hurricane strength and will be referred to as ‘ex-hurricane Kirk’. If the storm meets the criteria for classification as a storm due to its potential impacts, it will be named Storm Kirk.
The Met Office is considering issuing weather warnings as the storm approaches, urging the public to stay updated on the latest forecasts. Residents are advised to prepare for possible disruptions due to heavy rain and high winds expected to hit parts of the UK by Wednesday and Thursday. As the situation evolves, the need for alerts will be reassessed in the coming days, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about the developing weather conditions.