These conditions will continue into the evening and night, with gusts only falling to below 30mph again around midday on Thursday. The wet conditions will continue until late on W

Hurricanes are alphabetically named, just like storms are. With Hurricane Kirk looming over Britain and bringing the bad weather, we look at how these severe weather events get their names

The hurricane, which will no longer be a hurricane when it does reach Europe, poses a threat of bringing disruptive heavy rain and strong winds.

Hurricane Kirk has seen winds of up to 125 mph according to the US National Hurricane Center, and is expected to strengthen over the coming days. It has already been named a Category 3 storm by the agency, with the latest guidance indicating it will gradually turn north-west.

The Met Office has warned that Hurricane Kirk could lash UK with heavy rain and strong gales. It could be the second half of next week when we feel the remnants of the storm.

Heavy wind and rain will be brought by the remnants of the major storm as it sweeps across the Atlantic towards Europe.

According to Wisson, other paths might emerge, but meteorologists are holding back until they gather more data before forecasting which situation will prevail. Should the system cross the UK, it would keep its Atlantic name and be referred to as 'ex-Hurricane Kirk'.

The Met Office said the whole of England and Wales, plus southern Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland are at risk of 'disruption' from Kirk - although it is too early to issue specific warnings.

The Met Office said that if Kirk does track over the UK much of England and Wales will be most at risk of heavy rain and disruptive winds. Northern England, southeast Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland could also see less disruptive weather.

Recent weeks have seen severe flooding hit parts of the UK which turned roads into rivers and left towns and villages cut off.