Hurricane Gabrielle is predicted to wreak yet more wet and wild weather on the UK.
The tropical storm is gathering speed with weather models showing Gabrielle raging eastward across the Atlantic towards Europe.
The hurricane took a dramatic right turn from Bermuda and is being tracked to hit the Azores in Portugal, where locals have been urged to take defensive measures.
This weekend, we will see if Hurricane Gabrielle unleashes yet more grim weather on the UK.
The UK has already seen above average rainfall in September – the most since January according to the Environment Agency (EA) – and Gabrielle could result in yet more cold, wet and blustery weather for Brits.
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Gabrielle has already become a hurricane due to the warm water in the central Atlantic and is classed as category four, the second strongest, with 150 mph winds on Monday afternoon.
In the UK, heavy rain blighted England and Wales on Saturday after the wettest week for nearly a year from Monday 12 to 18.
The Met Office said in its long-range forecast from Friday: ‘We enter a very uncertain period as thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain try to push in from the Atlantic.
‘Confidence in any breakdown to unsettled weather however, is very low, influenced by ex-Hurricane Gabrielle, which may approach the UK during this time.
‘On balance some rain, and potentially some strong winds are likely to affect at least the west of the UK.’
The UK has had drier weather due to an area of high pressure ahead of Hurricane Gabrielle’s potential arrival.
Annual rainfall has dropped and between January to August and the UK collectively received only 44% of its predicted annual rainfall – the expected average was 67% in 2024.
Hurricane Gabrielle’s path towards the UK
- Gabrielle formed less than a week ago in the mid Atlantic but has rapidly grown since.
- On its approach to Bermuda, Gabrielle intensified but took a sharp right turn from the archipelago towards Europe.
- It has been classed as 2025’s second major hurricane after gathering speed in the central Atlantic on Monday morning.
- It is now moving eastward across the Atlantic towards Europe and getting closer to the UK.
Cooler weather, especially in mornings, has been predicted and already in Edinburgh Gogarbank, Scotland, the temperature has dropped to – 0.3c.
The Met Office has warned the hurricane could bring strong winds to parts of the country.
An AccuWeather forecast does show that it is likely to weaken from Friday to Sunday – but could still have a considerable impact on people in the UK.
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