Will a Hurricane Hit the UK?
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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 14 June 2026 by the Pressorbit weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
No, a fully formed hurricane will not directly hit the UK. The Atlantic waters surrounding Britain are too cold to sustain a tropical cyclone, and the jet stream typically steers storms eastwards. However, the remnants of hurricanes – called post-tropical storms – regularly arrive, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Why don’t hurricanes reach the UK?
Hurricanes need sea surface temperatures above 26.5°C and low wind shear to maintain their structure. The ocean around the British Isles rarely exceeds 16°C even in summer. As a tropical system moves north across the Atlantic, it encounters cooler water, which weakens the storm’s core. By the time it reaches UK latitudes, the system has lost its warm centre and is reclassified as a post‑tropical or extratropical cyclone.
The UK lies between about 50°N and 60°N, well outside the typical hurricane zone (10°N to 30°N). The prevailing westerly winds and polar jet stream further prevent direct hits, funnelling most storms eastwards before they can approach our shores.
What happens when a post‑tropical storm arrives?
Even weakened, ex‑hurricanes can deliver damaging weather. They often carry heavy rainfall – 50–100 mm in a day is not unusual – and gusts of 60–80 mph, occasionally higher. The Met Office issues yellow or amber warnings for these events. Check the live conditions above for any active alerts, and see the UK Weather Warnings page for the latest updates.
On average, between one and three ex‑hurricanes affect the UK each year, most frequently in September and October, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season.
Has a hurricane ever directly hit the UK?
No. No tropical hurricane has made landfall on the UK mainland or any of its islands since reliable records began. The 2017 storm Ophelia – often called a hurricane in headlines – was post‑tropical when it struck Ireland and the UK, but it still caused significant damage and three fatalities. Ophelia’s core had lost its hurricane characteristics 24 hours before arrival.
While direct hits are impossible under current climate conditions, the UK weather hub tracks all approaching systems. The 10‑day forecast can give early indications if an ex‑hurricane is likely to affect Britain – check the 10‑day forecast for updates.
How does the Met Office monitor ex‑hurricanes?
The Met Office works with the US National Hurricane Center and the European Centre for Medium‑Range Weather Forecasts to track tropical systems from the moment they develop. Once a storm enters UK‑forecast waters, the Met Office issues colour‑coded warnings for wind and rain. These warnings are updated regularly on the UK Weather Warnings page and through the live widget above.
Forecast models now have skill to predict the track and intensity of a post‑tropical storm three to five days in advance, giving the public time to prepare.
Will climate change make a direct hurricane hit more likely?
Climate models show Atlantic hurricane intensity may increase, but the UK’s sea surface temperatures will remain too cool for a tropical system to sustain itself. The bigger risk is that ex‑hurricanes could carry more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall. A direct hurricane hit remains extremely unlikely in the coming decades.
What is the difference between a hurricane and a storm named by the Met Office?
The Met Office names wind storms (e.g., Storm Eunice) when they expect amber or red warnings. These are mid‑latitude cyclones, not hurricanes. If a post‑tropical storm from a hurricane meets that threshold, it will be named as a regular storm – for example, ex‑Hurricane Ophelia was named Storm Ophelia by Met Éireann.
Should I prepare for an ex‑hurricane the same way as for a normal storm?
Yes. The impact of an ex‑hurricane is similar to a strong winter storm: power cuts, fallen trees, and transport disruption are possible. Secure outdoor items, check the live forecast above, and follow Met Office warnings. The Cold Weather Payment Checker is unrelated to storms but may be useful if the storm leads to a prolonged cold spell.
