Britain will feel the sting of a record-breaking phase in the Atlantic hurricane season as the nation braces for the tail end of Kirk.
An unprecedented three October hurricanes are currently churning ocean waters in the tropical basin.
Hurricane Kirk – the brother of Leslie and Milton – will head north-eastwards through the coming days and rattle the weather across Europe.
Although it will miss a direct hit with Britain, southern counties face gales and downpours they catch a swipe of the storm’s tail.
The storm's tail could hit the UK
PA
Jim Dale, meteorologist for British Weather Services and social commentator, said: “Current models show the remains of Kirk heading on a southerly trajectory across the Bay of Biscay, and then into Belgium and Holland.
“The worst of the rain will probably miss the UK, but the wind will be more of a problem later this week, and there will be a risk of gales in southern and south-eastern regions.
“There are likely to be some very strong gusts on Wednesday and Thursday.”
Kirk was last night weakening in the mid-Atlantic from an 80mph hurricane to an extratropical cyclone.
Its remains will be swept into the jet stream’s 100mph winds and carried towards northern Europe.
Meteorologists have been cautiously watching the jet’s position to predict Kirk’s eventual path across the Atlantic.
They now think it will head further south than originally feared, missing a full-force impact with the UK.
However, parts of the UK, including Kent, Sussex, East Anglia and perhaps London face ‘disruptive’ weather.
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The Met Office’s deputy chief meteorologist Chris Bulmer said: “Kirk over the North Atlantic will lose its status as a hurricane 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 [the] 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.”
Strong winds whipped up by Kirk will pull cold air down from the north bringing a frosty end to the week.
Temperatures in parts of the country could hit freezing, with northern regions facing air and ground frosts.
Mr Dale said: “Cold air will arrive on Thursday and Friday as winds come down from the north.
“This will only be a transient cold period, with the lowest temperatures and risk of frost across Scotland and the highlands.”
As the mercury starts to dip, bookies have tentatively started shuffling the odds for Christmas snow.
Three hurricanes are currently in the Atlantic
NOAA
Coral’s John Hill said: “It is going to start getting very cold this month, with some reports indicating we could get some snow over the next couple of weeks.
“We think the white stuff is very likely to come down in October, while those dreaming of a White Christmas may just get their wish this year.”
Ladbrokes, however, is erring on the wetter side, slashing the odds for the wettest October on record.
Spokesman Alex Apati said: "British brollies will be getting a workout over the next few weeks, with record-breaking rain on the cards."
Britain’s weather this week will catch the knock-on impact of an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season.
Meteorologists say this is the first time three have formed simultaneously in the Atlantic basin this late in the season.
Meteorologist Philip Klotzbach posted on X: “For the first time on record, the Atlantic has 3 #hurricanes simultaneously after September.”