UK weather: Heatwave to be blown away by Hurricane Chris, forecasters warn

Remnants of powerful storm spell end of heatwave

The remnants of a powerful hurricane swirling along the US east coast is set to bring an end to weeks of hot weather in Britain.

Hurricane Chris will bring cool air and rain to the UK, after sweeping across the Atlantic with winds of up to 105 miles per hour, forecasters have warned.

The “intense” category two storm will have weakened considerably by the time it reaches Europe, but it will still disrupt the weather in Britain, which has been hit with a weeks-long heatwave.

Monday was the 16th consecutive day that temperatures climbed past 28C - the longest hot spell for five years.

The Met Office said conditions would remain warm for the next few days, despite the chance of showers and thunderstorms, but temperatures are likely to drop next week as the remains of the tropical storm reach Britain.

“From Monday and Tuesday next week there’s signs of fresher air pushing gradually south-eastwards across the UK with a chance of some rain almost anywhere," said forecaster Marco Petagna. "It’s becoming a bit more changeable.

“It’s the remnants of the hurricane out in the Atlantic at the moment, just off the east coast of the USA. What’s left of that just gets caught up in our weather systems and that will help to introduce the fresher air.”

Chris surpassed the minimum hurricane strength on Tuesday night. Sustained winds of 105mph swirled 245 miles south-east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

The US National Hurricane Centre said the storm would begin weakening on Wednesday night, becoming a strong post-tropical cyclone by the following day.

It will be far weaker than hurricane strength by the time it reaches the UK.

Before then, temperatures in Britain will continue to peak in the high twenties, with highs of 30C possible in south-east England at the weekend.

"It could be the last of the very warm days, though, as rain across the north and west of the UK tries to slip its way south-eastwards across the rest of the country," said Mr Petagna.

Thunderstorms are possible across the country on Friday, he said, adding: “Some people will be welcome the rain, given the dry conditions."

Several water companies issued warnings to customers over usage during the extended period of dry weather.

In Northern Ireland, a hosepipe ban has been in effect since 29 June, with an extra 175 million litres of water being pumped into the network, in a bid to keep up with demand.

United Utilities, which serves northwest England, warned it could be forced to implement similar measures if high demand did not ease this week.