Former Hurricane Kirk set to batter Britain with rain and heavy winds this week as 145mph storm barrels across the Atlantic

Gales and heavy rain could batter Britain as a former tropical hurricane barrels across the Atlantic in the coming days.

The remnants of 145mph Hurricane Kirk are set to arrive by midweek, potentially affecting the country on Wednesday and Thursday.

Central and Southern England and Wales are in line for the worst of the weather, with 'heavy rain and disruptive winds', forecasters say.

It comes after 10 English counties experienced the wettest September on record, with up to three times the average rainfall.

The Met Office said the whole of England and Wales, plus southern Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland are at risk of 'disruption' from Kirk - although it is too early to issue specific warnings.

Chris Bulmer, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, said: 'Kirk over the North Atlantic will lose its status as a hurricane early next week 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.

'However, a more southward track of this system, which is equally plausible at this stage, would see the most disruptive conditions impact France. The need for warnings will be kept under review over the coming days, so it's important to stay up to date with the latest forecast.'

In the meantime, today is set to be cloudy with showers and longer spells of rain at times, while sunshine and showers are expected tomorrow and Tuesday.

Once the remains of the hurricane - which has remained off-shore but reached speeds of 145mph - clear towards the end of the week, 'a more settled interlude is then possible but further spells of wind and rain, again with a focus across southern areas, are likely to arrive from the west during the following week with temperatures returning to around average', the Met Office predicts.

As soon as the temperatures drop below 26.5C, hurricanes lose their 'source of fuel' and die off quickly as a result.

But if the storm encounters a jet stream, which Kirk is expected to do, it could then transform into an extra tropical cyclone which could cause some 'issues' to the UK.

The upcoming week could also see the first snow falling in the UK.

A Met Office long-range forecast says the white stuff may hit parts of the Scottish mountains late next week, but says it is unlikely that enough will fall for a snowman to be built.

For Scotland and Northern Ireland these showers are more likely to turn cold, the Met Office says, and this wintery weather is likely to work its way south by next weekend.

However, whilst it may feel chilly in these areas, snow is not predicted to fall. But further spells of wind and rain are likely to arrive.