Hurricane Erin: Met Office warns autumn to make 'early appearance' as thunderstorms loom

Temperatures will fall by as much as 10C in two days this week as autumn is set to "make an early appearance".

Although the mercury hit 29.3C in Ross-On-Wye, Herefordshire, yesterday, conditions will now change rapidly and downpours will batter most of the UK by Wednesday. The mercury will drop considerably on Wednesday too, with some places 10C colder than it was yesterday.

It is because the UK is to bear the brunt of Hurricane Erin, which has dodged the east coast of the US. Remnants of this will cause thunderstorms and rain to sweep in from the west and slowly move eastwards later this week. The heaviest of the rain is anticipated across North Yorkshire throughout Wednesday afternoon.

And the unsettled spell is expected for some time yet, certainly into the middle of September, forecasters say. Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: "Hurricane Erin fuels the jetstream. The jetstream brings a big change to the UK's weather, it brings an increased likelihood of low pressure, showers, spells of rain and increased wind as well.

"Of course, we need the rain, but it might not be welcome for people who want to enjoy the last week of the summer holidays. It does look a little bit more likely. That autumn will make an early appearance."

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Various systems of low pressure will linger around the UK following the remnants of Hurricane Erin. It means the chances of returning to last week's glorious sunshine are unlikely.

Alex Burkill, another Met Office meteorologist, said: "This pattern of various low-pressure systems, quite a mobile setup, features coming in from the west, looks like this is what we're going to be left with for a little while yet, really, as we go through the end of August and into the beginning of September."

His outlook is reflected in the Met Office's long-range forecast, which mentions "thunderstorms and hail". For the period of Saturday August 30 to Monday September 8, the Met Office website reads: "Changeable and unsettled weather conditions are expected across the UK during this period with low pressure systems tending to dominate the overall pattern. This will mean showers or longer spells of rain will affect the majority of the UK at times.

"Some heavy rain or showers are expected in places, most often in the west, although with a risk some of this could spread to other areas at times. Thunderstorms and hail are also possible, as are some spells of strong winds if any deep areas of low pressure form in the vicinity of the UK. Some short-lived spells of drier weather are likely between systems. Temperatures will likely be close to average, but may rise above at times in any drier, sunnier spells."

As the end of this week is expected to be wet for many, temperatures will struggle to exceed 22C, a large drop from Monday's highs. The warmest places on Friday are believed to be spots along the North Sea coast in Norfolk and Lincolnshire.