Hurricane Gonzalo to Hit Bermuda: Remnants of Massive Atlantic Storm Could Hit Britain

Britain is set to face an unsettled period of weather at the weekend and into next week thanks to a massive storm brewing in the Atlantic.

Chris Burton, Meteorologist at The Weather Network, on Thursday, said: "Bermuda is set to be hit by the most powerful Atlantic hurricane for several years on Friday. The remnants of the storm could then head towards the UK next week."

He warned Gonzalo is currently a category 4 storm with sustained winds of 140mph - making it the most intense storm in the North Atlantic since Ophelia in 2011.

"As it tracks north towards Bermuda it will weaken slightly, but it is still expected to be a powerful category 3 hurricane as it hits the island. Some forecasts expect Gonzalo to make a direct hit on the island and it is likely to be the worst hurricane to hit Bermuda since Fabian in 2003.

"It comes only a week after tropical storm Fay brought high winds and heavy rains to the territory, which cut the power to many of Bermuda's residents.

"Hurricane Gonzalo is then expected to pick up speed over the weekend and hit Newfoundland, Canada sometime on Saturday night.

"Uncertainty then increases considerably for where Hurricane Gonzalo may head. The hurricane is likely to transition into a post-tropical storm sometime at the weekend and then head eastwards across the Atlantic Ocean. The remnants of the storm could then track somewhere across the UK on Tuesday to bring a spell and wet and windy weather to part or all of the country.

"However, the remnants of Gonzalo could head either to the north or south of the UK. There is also some uncertainty in how deep the remnant low may be as it travels across the country.

"This is one to watch and we will be keeping you updated on hurricane Gonzalo over the next few days on the Weather Network website."

But the Met Office on 15 October warned that it was difficult to predict at this stage whether the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo, which is heading for Bermuda, will affect the UK.

Forecasters were expecting it to travel north and then east across the ocean over the coming days.

In a blog on its site the Met Office said: "There is large uncertainty about the potential track of this storm, with some models suggesting that the remnants could move across the UK whilst others show them staying away from our shores."

Meanwhile heavy rain is expected over the next few days with temperatures expected above 20C at the weekend - above average for this time of year as this area of low pressure across the Atlantic continues.

"While it will be very mild, it may not feel particularly warm given the windy and often wet conditions. The unsettled weather is expected to be fairly standard for the middle part of October," the Met Office added.