TROPICAL Storm Wanda is heading towards Britain and bringing heavy downpours and 70mph winds along with it.
The 500 mile-wide weather system is currently raging across the Atlantic and is expected to hit the UK by Tuesday.
It means wet and windy weather will remain across the country ahead of Wanda’s arrival, as it continues to gain strength as it passes over the Portuguese coast.
It was reclassified as a tropical storm two days ago by the National Hurricane Centre in the US, after forming over the Atlantic Ocean last weekend.
Now meteorologists have warned Brits to expect relentless downpours and gales of up to 70mph as Wanda smashes through the UK and Ireland early next week.
Met Office forecaster Dan Harris said: “Tropical Storm Wanda is not too too far from the UK – and may indirectly influence the forecast.”
The storm will head southward over the next couple of days, according to the National Hurricane Centre, before becoming extratropical on Monday if it weakens before it hits the UK.
But Netweather and STV forecaster Jo Farrow warned: “If Wanda gets caught up with another Atlantic low pressure, its tropical energy could help bring wet and windy weather to the UK.”
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Predictions suggest the tropical storm will continue to gain strength over the weekend – which sets the tone for the rest of the week.
A Met Office forecaster said: “It’s going to turn decidedly autumnal this weekend.
“Wet and very windy weather arrives on Saturday, staying windy on Sunday and changeable into next week.
“It will feel colder on Monday, with rain then moving in from the West.”
The mercury has also taken an almighty tumble, with the temperature in some areas of the UK plummeting to -3C thanks to an Arctic blast.
The weather front straight from the frozen north left many waking up to ice and fog on Thursday, while walkers in Scotland’s Cairngorms were left ankle-deep in snow.
Aidan McGovern of the Met Office advised Brits to wrap up warm if they’re off out to watch a fireworks display tomorrow night.
A CHILLY MONTH
He said today is “looking like a cracking day with plenty of sunshine” – but added that “temperatures are below average and it’ll be distinctly cold in that northerly wind”.
The weekend celebrations are set to be accompanied by “heavy and persistent” showers, so remember to be prepared if your heading out.
John Hammond, of weathertrending, told the Mirror: “The drop of 10C or more will be quite a shock as temperatures tumble after such warm conditions recently.
“Blustery northwesterly winds will make it feel chillier, with snow possible on northern mountains and perhaps to lower levels, with overnight frost possibly becoming more widespread.
“Atlantic fronts are expected to bring rain from the west by the weekend.”
Bookies have slashed the odds on this being the coldest November ever to 4/1 from 7/1.
There’s also a 2/1 shot that we’ll see snow on Bonfire Night.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “It’s looking increasingly likely this month breaks records for all the wrong reasons on the weather front.”
