After a last-blast heatwave, summer storms its way out

Britain may be basking in a glorious Indian summer - but it is likely to be hit by a tropical storm later this week.

Forecasters are warning that the country could be battered by winds of 70mph, coming from the tail end of Hurricane Gordon.

The cyclone is moving east across the Atlantic towards the Azores, and is expected to hit the western side of Britain.

The Met Office has issued an official warning of the risk of severe gales. And independent weather analysts have warned that the storm could cause similar destruction to the 1987 hurricane, which was responsible for 20 deaths and led to insurance claims amounting to £1.4billion.

A spokesman for weather analyst Metrocare said: "It is definitely going to hit us and at the moment it looks as if it will affect the western areas. But if it crosses to the south of England, we would see 1987 again."

The heatwave is expected to tip the mercury over the 82F (28C) mark in the next two days.

Such unusually high temperatures are 18F above the average for this time of year. If the Indian summer continues, September would be on course to be one of the hottest ever. The record average for the month stands at 62F (17C), set back in 1719.

The Met Office says the storm could arrive within three days. A spokesman said Western Europe and Britain "could feel the effects of an ex-tropical storm, with the potential for prolonged heavy rain, unseasonably high temperatures and strong winds".

He added: "Hurricane Gordon is currently in the mid-Atlantic, but is moving east towards the Azores. Through this week it is expected to lose its strength, but the effects of the storm will be felt closer to home as the remnants influence the weather across the UK during the second half of the week."

The Hurricane Gordon effect could also cause havoc at the Ryder Cup golf tournament, which is being staged in Dublin this weekend.