Hurricane Lorenzo, the most powerful far east Atlantic tempest on record, is heading straight for the UK.
Lorenzo’s remnants will smash into the UK on Thursday night, bringing strong winds and heavy rain which will continue on Friday.
Today should provide a brief respite from the terribleweather, with bright and dry conditions expected across the country, although there are still 34 flood warnings – and 150 alerts – in place in England.
Temperatures will reach highs of 15 C today, after dropping to lows of 1C in parts of Scotland earlier this morning.
Forecasters say that what is left of Hurricane Lorenzo will have lost much of its power by the time it arrives, but will mean more wind and rain for parts of the country.
Hurricane Lorenzo is currently south west of The Azores, where it is expected to pass with 105 mph winds today.
Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said: “It could bring some very large swell by the end of the week to the UK as well as some heavy rainfall and we don’t need more rainfall.
“Risk of some strong winds, gales in places, some heavy rainfall as well, and some big seas.”
TheMet Officesaid there has been some uncertainty over its path, but it now looks like it will follow a north-easterly track towards the UK and Ireland.
When it arrives in these latitudes some time on Thursday, it will have lost its hurricane strength, but will still mean another wet and windy battering for the west of the
Chief meteorologist at the Met Office Dan Suri said: “There has been considerable uncertainty over the potential track of Lorenzo after it passes The Azores.
“However, we are now increasingly confident the remnants of Lorenzo will move towards the UK, bringing a spell of wet and very windy weather to western parts on Thursday and Friday.”
Mr Suri said the strongest winds are expected in western Ireland, with a risk of coastal gales developing in Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Thursday and Wales and south-west England on Friday.
He said “ex-Lorenzo” will also bring spells of heavy rain to north-western parts of the UK through Thursday and Friday, particularly in Northern Ireland, western Scotland, central England and Wales.
Mr Suri said: “Our advice is to pay close attention to the weather forecast over the next couple of days and to keep an eye out for any weather warnings that may be issued in your area. “
Deputy chief meteorologist Tony Wardle said:” The remnants of ex-Hurricane Lorenzo will gradually pull away from the UK later on Friday, though it ‘ll remain unsettled with further spells of wet and windy weather as we head into the weekend. “
The arrival of ex-Lorenzo will mean more rainfall after days of deluge, although the Met Office said Wednesday will be an oasis of good weather between the storms.
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Met Office five-day weather forecast
Today
For many a fine and dry day with sunny periods. Despite lower temperatures it will still feel quite pleasant in the sunshine. The odd shower may affect some northern and eastern coastal areas where it will remain breezy.
Tonight
A clear and chilly night for many with a widespread grass frost inland, and a localized air frost in the north.
Thursday
After a dry and bright start, cloud will spread in the from the west turning sunshine hazy. Becoming wet and windy in the west.
Outlook for Friday to Sunday
Remaining unsettled with rain affecting many areas on Friday and strong winds in the southwest. Further rain arriving in the west on Saturday, clearing southeast during Sunday. Temperatures near average.
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