A Met Office expert has warned the UK faces an ‘uncertain’ bank holiday weekend when it comes to the weather forecast as Hurricane Erin is set to move across the Atlantic, bringing wind and potentially heavy rain our way. Forecasters are still deciding on whether it will be necessary to issue weather warnings which could come nearer the time it has been announced.
Hurricane Erin is a major category 3 hurricane which is currently north-east of the Bahamas where it has come down from 140mph to 120mph and is expected to bring big waves to the east coast, the Met Office said. It is forecast to remain out in the ocean, then the , Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said.
There is a risk of rain developing and then the weather is expected to turn increasingly unsettled by the early to middle part of next week. Wet and windy weather could be seen, with heavy downpours at times, and forecasters are monitoring it to decide whether to issue any rain warning nearer to the time, Mr Petagna added.
It is set to end a period of dry weather for much of the country, with the UK on track for one of its hottest summers on record. Mr Petagna said: “Any remnants of the hurricane aren’t expected to have an impact on the UK until early next week, there’s uncertainty how it will play out. From late on Sunday the uncertainty starts to kick in.
“There’s a risk of some rain developing, a potential that then things will turn increasingly unsettled. It’s likely becoming more unsettled early to middle part of next week, at this stage we can’t be too firm on the details.”
Mr Petagna said wet and windy weather is forecast, and the UK “could well see some heavy rain”. He added: “We may need some rainfall warnings further down the line, but it’s too early to say.”
It comes after the summer has been marked by persistent warm temperatures even outside the four heatwaves which have hit the country, with June and July both seeing well above-average conditions. With two weeks to go until the end of the meteorological summer, conditions could still shift, but the season’s overall warmth and consistently above-average temperatures mean it could rank among the UK’s warmest in records dating back to 1884.
Provisional figures from the Met Office show that the UK’s average temperature from June 1 to August 17 stands at 16.2C, some 1.6C above the average temperature.
Met Office London weather forecast for the next week
Thursday, August 21 – Highs of 21C and overcast
Friday, August 22 – Highs of 22C and overcast
Saturday, August 23 – Highs of 22C with sunny spells turning overcast
Sunday, August 24 – Highs of 23C with sunny intervals
Monday, August 25 – Highs of 25C with plenty sunshine
Tuesday, August 26 – Highs of 26C with sunshine turning cloudy in evening
Wednesday, August 27 – Highs of 23C with sunny intervals turning cloudy in evening
UK long range forecast
According to the Met Office, the forecast for Bank Holiday Monday (August 25) is for reasonably fair weather, with light winds and sunny spells. However there is still a small chance that western or southwestern parts could see some cloudier skies and a few showers.
As the week goes on, skies may become generally cloudier, and there is an increasing chance of outbreaks of rain and showers. Any precipitation would be initially across the southwestern half of the UK, and possibly spreading further north and east at times. That being said, fair conditions are still possible between weather systems.
Winds could be breezy at times too, especially around exposed coasts and some hills. Temperatures will be around normal, perhaps a little above in places where sunnier spells persist with lighter winds.
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
