The Met Office has warned that Hurricane Ernesto could bring "unsettled" weather to the UK.

In its long-range forecast, forecasters predict that the start of next week will bring with it cloud and rain in parts of the country before clearing up later in the week.

The Met Office's forecast for the period between Monday, August 19 until Wednesday, August 28, reads: "An unsettled start to the week with cloud and rain in many areas.

"This should clear, to allow a brighter interlude midweek with showers in the northwest. The second half of next week is uncertain, influenced to some extent by the remnants of ex-Hurricane Ernesto.

"The most likely scenario is a period of unsettled weather, especially in the north and west with heavy rain and strong winds possible, while it may be warmer and less-wet towards the southeast."

It adds: "By the weekend and the following week, a mobile westerly regime is likely, most of the wet weather in the north and west, and longer drier interludes in the southeast.

"Temperatures overall will be close to average, but the chance of short-lived very warm conditions in the south and east at times."

Forecasts also warn that this August will be an especially wet one. Next Tuesday, 18mm of rain is expected to hit the UK.

That is more than one-third more than the average for the entire month – 53mm.

The Met Office says the weather should settle back down as September arrives.

Its forecast added: "By the end of August and into September, the ongoing westerly regime looks most likely to continue though there is a slight increase during early September in the likelihood of settled spells.

"So typically, there will be occasional spells of cloud and rain spreading east or southeastwards across the UK.

"Rain or showers will tend to be most frequent in the northwest, where it may be rather windy at times, with drier and warmer weather more likely towards the south and east.

"There remains a chance of thundery conditions spreading in from the nearby continent at times.

"Temperatures most likely close to average overall, falling below in the case of unsettled days, but short, hot spells remain possible in the south and east."