Will a hurricane see off our summer?
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Published
Just when we thought August had put summer back on track, could a hurricane be about to blow it all away?
After a spell of dry, sunny weather for many in the UK, this week is looking quite different.
We expect the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto to have an impact on our weather by the middle of the week, which could mean it feels like autumn before we’ve even reached the start of that season.
Why is it looking autumnal this week?
Low pressure is moving in this week hence the change in weather for many.
That process is already underway across Scotland and Northern Ireland. There is a Met Office warning for Monday afternoon and evening for south-west Scotland where as much as 60mm of rain could fall over the hills and will be accompanied by strong winds.
For southern and eastern England, however, Monday looks warm and sunny and little rain is forecast this week. The north and west will bear the brunt of the unseasonable weather.
What about the remains of Hurricane Ernesto?
By midweek we are expecting the remnants of Hurricane Ernesto to be influencing our weather. Tropical air will be drawn into a deep area of low pressure, so there is a Met Office warning for western Scotland where it could rain for more than 24 hours and yield up to 150mm over the mountains.
Rain is only part of the story as we are expecting unseasonably windy weather too, gusts to 60mph, which is a concern for campers and people out on boats. Gales are more unusual at this time of year and can have a greater impact as the trees are in full leaf.
This blast of autumn is expected to coincide with high spring tides too, bringing dangerous conditions to the coast with spray and large waves. The wettest and windiest weather will again be across Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales.
Will it be a bank holiday washout?
Following the wet and unseasonably windy spell midweek more rain is possible on Friday.
However, the devil’s in the detail, as computer forecast models often struggle to resolve detail with these extra tropical storms.
Then beyond Friday there are hints that the Azores high pressure will try to return northwards but probably not in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, if you have one.
Here’s the latest long-range forecast.
The end of our summery weather?
The end of August marks the end of meteorological summer.
But it’s really too early to say it’s the end of summery weather as the Azores high pressure, which often brings dry and settled conditions at this time of year, remains close by to southern England and could still influence us.
September too often brings heat and sunshine, so let’s not write off more fine weather yet. The monthly outlook has the latest thoughts on weather trends over the next few weeks.