UK set for 80mph winds and worst storms since 1987

Forecasters warn about hurricane-force winds of 90mph and power-cuts as a result of a storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico.

16:33 25 October 2013

The rapidly intensifying huge storm in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to bring Britain its worst weather since the 1987 Great Storm.

Forecasters on Friday warned that 90mph winds carrying heavy rain will most likely damage houses and cut off power.

The storm is expected to arrive on Monday and will be called St Jude storm – this is the name of a patron saint whose feast day falls on Monday. Forecasters added that it is likely to hit Wales and the South West first before spreading across the rest of Britain.

Eddy Carroll, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “This storm doesn't exist at the moment, but our forecasts models predict it is likely to develop in the west Atlantic on Saturday.

“Then it's likely to rapidly intensify just west of the UK late on Sunday before tracking across England and Wales early on Monday.

“There is still a chance this storm may take a more southerly track and miss the UK, bringing impacts elsewhere in northern Europe, but people should be aware there is a risk of severe weather and significant disruption.”