A satellite image taken by Copernicus Sentinel-3 shows Hurricane Kirk about 2,000 km southwest of the Azores Archipelago. On the same day the image was captured, Kirk intensified into a Category 4 storm in the central Atlantic, heading northeast.

While skirting the Caribbean islands and the eastern U.S. coast, its vast size brought damaging winds to these regions. The storm’s biggest impact is forecast for western Europe.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain may cause travel disruption across parts of southern England and Wales, the has warned. The service has issued a yellow thunderstorm warning from 4pm to 11.59pm on Monday across much of South Wales, South West England, and parts of southern England.

The Met Office said there was a “good chance” that driving conditions will be affected by spray, standing water or hail, adding that delays to train services are possible. It added that flooding of a few homes and businesses was also possible, with damage to buildings and structures from lightning strikes, hail or gusty winds most likely close to coasts.

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Thunderstorms are most likely for south-facing coastal districts, and hail and some strong gusts of wind could accompany the heaviest showers and thunderstorms. Some places will see 20-30mm of rain within two to three hours, with a small chance that a few places could receive 40mm, the Met Office said.

Areas of heavy showers and thunderstorms will move northwards across southern parts of England and Wales on Monday and clear northwards overnight. France and Spain have already issued warnings of heavy rain, strong winds, and a drop in temperatures, expected to hit by October 9. Although Kirk’s strength will decrease as it moves over colder waters, authorities are bracing for its landfall.