UK weather – Britain to be battered by heavy rain & thunderstorms this weekend as Hurricane Ida fallout barrels in

BRITS face rain and thunderstorms this weekend as Hurricane Ida lashes the US and the summer ends in a wash-out.

The tropical storm won’t hit the UK, but it’ll still make itself known as torrential downpours roll in.

Geoff RobinsonHurricane Ida will change the jetstream over the Atlantic – and bring terrible weather this weekend, forecasters say[/caption]

The Met Office is predicting dry but dull weather until the weekend, when storms will arrive

And despite hopes for a balmy September after a disappointing August, forecasters say the beginning of autumn will be unsettled.

Ida has caused devastation across swathes of America.

Hospitals are at breaking point in New Orleans, while the death toll is still climbing and a million people in Louisiana have been left without power.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge said the hurricane’s force will affect the jetstream – and have an impact on the UK’s weather.

“We will see a change of weather type at the weekend,” he warned.

“On Saturday evening, we’ll see the effects of a plume of humid, warm air coming from continental Europe.

“That’s likely to bring sharp showers, with the potential for thunderstorms.

“Central and southern England are the areas currently most likely to be affected.

“Then on Sunday, we’ll see a change in weather type with a front bringing heavy rain and strong winds moving through.

“That’ll signal a chance from the high pressure that will keep things settled and dull in the coming days. There’ll be overcast skies for many from Thursday, but then we’ll have that transition.”

The front will “open up the door” to an Atlantic blast, he said.

“By the weekend, the models suggest the air that was Ida will still be off the eastern seaboard of the US,” he said.

BRITS FACE A DRENCHING

“What these hurricanes do is bring warm humid air into the North Atlantic, which can have the effect of pepping up weather systems already in place.

“Although we’re not going to see the effects directly, it’ll invigorate the jetstream.”

And despite this summer being one of the bleakest in years, forecasters say it’s likely to be in the top 10 warmest on record.

The news will likely come as a surprise to those who gave up holidays abroad amid uncertainty over the traffic light system to enjoy staycations.

Parts of the UK have seen large amounts of rainfall for the time of year, including the City of London, which has experienced its ninth wettest August on record. 

The poor weather has caused “significant problems” for harvests, according to the National Farmers Union.

A spokesperson for the union said this year’s harvest was delayed due to cold spring temperatures. 

INDIAN SUMMER HOPES DIE

However, it’s too early to say if consumers will see a rise in food prices.

Meanwhile, optimistic bookies are predicting that September will be one of the warmest ever.

Despite the soggy outlook, Coral has slashed the odds from 3-1 to 6-4 on next month beating records for heat in the UK, saying early reports suggest it will be “warmer than average”.

John Hill, who works for the bookmakers, said: “The early reports suggest we could be set for a hotter September than average this year. 

“We have slashed the odds on next month being a record hot September which indicates we are set for one last heatwave this summer.”

BNPSBrits on holiday are enjoying the last few days of reasonable weather[/caption]

NB PRESS LTDTorrential rain and thunderstorms will arrive this weekend[/caption]

NNPDespite that, bookies still believe September could be one of the warmest ever[/caption]

SWNSAnd amazingly, this summer is likely to be in the top 10 hottest on record[/caption]