THE Met Office is forecasting snow for next week as a low pressure system sweeps in and parts of the country set to “quickly turn colder”.
Brits are in for a spell of unsettled weather thanks to the aftermath of Hurricane Kirk with most parts likely to be hit with wet and windy weather.
It comes as the last remnants of the hurricane cross of the country towards the end of next week, having crossed the Atlantic.
While the hurricane will have lost its strength by the time it reaches these shores, it is expected to remain as a “moderately deep low pressure system”, the Met Office said.
That low pressure system is also predicted to bring with it some snowfall, according to the forecaster.
In its long-range forecast, between October 8 to October 17, the Met Office said there will be a period of “unsettled” weather next week with “frequent bouts of wind and rain associated with areas of low pressure”.
The south is expected to see the worst of the rain before it spreads more widely across the UK.
Temperatures are also predicted to take a tumble with the coldest places likely to see some snow.
These are expected to be the more mountainous regions of Scotland, such as the Highlands, the forecaster said.
The forecast says: “Scotland and Northern Ireland are more likely to quickly turn colder with showers, and the colder weather (perhaps some sleet/snow on Scottish mountains) will most likely gradually work its way south following the clearance of ex-Kirk.
“A more settled interlude is then possible, but further spells of wind and rain, again with a focus across southern areas, are likely to arrive from the west towards the end of the period.”
While its further long-range forecast, covering October 18 to November 1, says: “A continuation of low pressure systems tracking in from the Atlantic is the most likely scenario for the rest of October.
“This means wet and windy weather at times, especially across England and Wales, but with a suggestion that Scotland and Northern Ireland may be more likely to see longer breaks in the weather, and more in the way of drier spells.
“It is possible that these drier conditions could be seen more widely later in the month as higher pressure further north extends southwards for a time.
“This would also bring an increased chance of overnight fog and frost.
“Temperatures will tend to be close to average overall in the south, but probably below average in the north and northwest.”
Sunday October 6 - Tuesday October 8
The Met Office says: “Rather humid on Sunday as a band of rain, at times heavy, spreads eastwards through the day, before turning to a mixture of sunshine and showers for Monday and Tuesday.”
As for today, it will be dry with plenty of sunny spells for many after a chilly start.
It will be cloudier in the far west with some patchy rain, particularly over Northern Ireland and western Scotland, where it will also be breezy.
Overnight, western parts will be windy and cloudy with patchy rain.
Elsewhere, it will be dry with light winds and clear skies although there is a risk of patchy mist, fog and frost by dawn.
Saturday is expected to be another dry day with sunny spells for most.
Cloudy and patchy rain will linger over Northern Ireland and western Scotland which will become heavier as it reaches western England and Wales by the evening.
A TEACHER found half naked in a layby with a 17-year-old pupil has moaned “I don’t get invited to parties anymore” after her conviction.
Eppie Sprung Dawson was convicted of having sex with a 17-year-old pupil after patrol cops found her inside her car with the teen.
She admitted sexual activity with a person under 18 while she was his teacher and in a position of trust.
The 38-year-old was placed on the sex offenders’ register for six months and given a half-year-long community payback order.
Sprung Dawson told BBC Radio Scotland: “I have a conviction for a sexual offence.”
She added: “I was a teacher and I had an affair with a 17-year-old pupil.
“So I do have experience of, kind of, living with the challenges that a person can face as a result of having a criminal record.
“I never experienced a custodial sentence, but I certainly did experience stigma.
“I mean, I had an exceptionally large amount of press coverage, media coverage, for many, many years following my conviction.
“And I think I would say that was the most difficult thing I experienced.
“But I mean, of course, as with people with a conviction for a sexual offence particularly, face the highest degree of stigma.
“And so things like employment, even things like not being invited to my daughter’s friends’ birthday parties.”
CRYSTAL PALACE kick-off the Premier League weekend against leaders Liverpool on Saturday.
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Gemma Collins reveals plans to become a foster carer on Good Morning Britain after struggling to conceive
The reality star, 43, was inspired by her mum who grew up in a foster home.
She spoke up on her plans as the national fostering group warned of a caring crisis.
The Towie star invited Good Morning Britain into her home and told viewers: “I make a good dinner. I’ve got a lot of love to give.”
She said finding her family on Who Do You Think You Are gave her the idea.
One key part of her family history is her mother Joan’s story, who was sadly abandoned at the hospital as a baby.
“Why was she left at the hospital? Why did they never come back for her?” Gemma questioned on the show, before revealing her mother “never talks about it.”
“I just think it’s too painful for her to go there,” the star continued.
It comes a year after Gemma told of the devastating moment doctors advised her to terminate her pregnancy after they told her the unborn baby “was not right”.
In a heart-rending podcast, the Towie star revealed staff had found that the baby was intersex.
Gemma, 43, sobbed as she candidly opened up on the medical instruction after suffering three previous miscarriages.
The telly favourite has made no secret of her desire to become a mum with partner Rami Hawash, 49.
She has always been frank about her desire for a family.
She said on the Everything I Know About Me podcast: “Something is not right, they said to me your baby could be a hermaphrodite.
“You can imagine I had no idea what the word was. I had to look it up. It was a real shock.
“They advised me you need to have a termination because this baby is not going to be right.”
Gemma got tearful as she added: “In a single instant, I learned that I’d been carrying a baby and lost it, meaning that once again I found my longstanding dreams of motherhood shattered into pieces.”
An intersex person is born with both male and female characteristics. This could be genitalia, hormones, internal anatomy or chromosomes and is a spectrum.
Conditions include Partial Androgen Insensitivity in which a person has a vulva, but no womb, and testes.
The term “hermaphrodite” comes from mythology and is preferably not used among people who are intersex, according to interACT, an advocate group for young people who are intersex.
Gemma sadly suffered her first miscarriage in 2012.
Eight years later she suffered a second miscarriage during the coronavirus pandemic.
She is now a bonus mum to Rami’s son Tristan, aged five.
She admitted she was still “holding onto the dream” of becoming a mum last year.
The star, who has polycystic ovary syndrome, said: “I pray every night that everything’s going to work out for me.
“Having a miscarriage with someone you love very much was very heartbreaking.”
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition that means the ovaries do not regularly release eggs and can make pregnancy difficult.
Gemma’s baby hopes were given a boost in December when F Word chef Gordon Ramsay‘s wife Tana, 49, gave birth to their sixth child.
At the time, she said: “The Tana Ramsay news was the greatest thing to wake up to. Incredible.”
“It really made me think positively about my future and kind of took the pressure off.
“I don’t think anyone knew she was pregnant, so it was a lovely surprise, but I got butterflies in my stomach when I saw it.”
A person who is intersex has both male and female characteristics, such as internal organs, genitalia or chromosomes that don’t fit the definition of male or female.
There are several conditions that fall under intersex, making it a bit like a spectrum.
And to be intersex is not rare – around 1.7 per cent of people are estimated to be so.
Other terms for intersex are differences in sex development (DSD) and hermaphrodite, which is outdated and considered offensive.
How might someone who is intersex look?
A person who is intersex could have:
When is it diagnosed?
It is typically noticed at birth and a baby will go through tests, such as an ultrasound, to understand a clear diagnosis.
The NHS says: “In England you need to register your baby’s birth within 42 days. This is usually enough time to complete the tests, discuss the results with your child’s care team and identify your baby’s sex.”
However, sometimes differences are not spotted until puberty or even adulthood, such as when a person does not have periods because they don’t have female hormones or internal organs, despite having a vagina.
It’s even possible for a person to never realise they are intersex.
What happens next?
Intersex isn’t something that is considered a disease or something to be ‘fixed’.
Medical intervention may happen if there are serious medical problems.
Some people who are intersex may consider altering the appearance of their genitals, having hormone therapy or psychological support.
But intersex should not be confused with transgender.
Many organisations, such as the Human Rights Watch, say surgery for young intersex children is not necessary and parents should hold of making decisions until their child is old enough to decide themselves.
Others say parents should make their own informed decisions.
Examples of conditions
For more information, see interACT or DSD Families.
RUMOURS have been swirling on social media that the McDonald’s McRib burger is set for a comeback after 10 years off the menu.
So when I was invited to a secretive press event by the fast food chain earlier this week – with no details on what it was about – I was very intrigued and expected something big.
A couple of hours after arriving, my anticipation finally ended as Maccies workers started dishing out box upon box filled with the iconic burgers, first launched in the UK in 1981, from the back of a van.
The pork-based patty, which is lathered in smoky BBQ sauce, pickles and onions and encased in a homestyle bun, is back on menus for a limited time from October 16.
It will be on sale for £4.49 as an individual item or £6.19 as part of a medium extra-value meal deal, which means it comes with fries and a medium drink.
But I, alongside a host of other journalists and social media influencers, got an early taste of the fan-favourite item, which was last seen on UK menus in early 2015.
While I am old enough to remember the McRib being on menus, I never actually tried it at the time.
And I must admit, I was buzzing to give it a go, especially after all the clamour about it online in recent weeks.
After opening the box, the burger looked pretty plain and unspectacular, while its rectangular shape made it hard to hold, to be honest.
But I was pretty impressed when it came to the flavour and texture.
The pork patty melted in my mouth and was super tender – definitely better than other burgers I’ve tried.
The pickles and onions added a nice textural contrast to the soft bun and meat as well, while adding a slight sour kick.
But one thing I would say was that after eating an entire burger I did feel a bit sickly due to the abundance of the BBQ sauce, which was too sweet for me personally.
At 509 calories, the burger is more calorific than a Double Cheeseburger, McChicken and Bacon Double Cheeseburger as well.
But overall, I’d definitely choose to get a McRib again on my next trip, especially as it’s only on menus for a limited time.
McDonald’s customers are in for a busy October, with the fast food chain already having confirmed a new breakfast item is making its way onto menus.
From October 16, foodies will be able to get their hands on mini hashbrowns in a portion of five or 15, with prices starting from £1.49.
McDonald’s already sells regular-sized hashbrowns for £1.19 but these are bitesized.
Many customers have already taken to social media saying the product reminds them of Tater Tots – a popular side dish in America.
It is still unclear whether or not the morning snack will become a permanent menu item or will only be available for a limited period.
A number of items are coming off menus this month too.
Customers will have to wave goodbye to six menu items:
The items were rolled out across stores on September 4, in conjunction with the return of McDonald’s Monopoly.
But when the game ends on October 15, these items will be removed.
You could end up being charged more for a McDonald's meal based solely on the McDonald's restaurant you choose.
Research by The Sun found a Big Mac meal can be up to 30% cheaper at restaurants just two miles apart from each other.
You can pick up a Big Mac and fries for just £2.99 at any time by filling in a feedback survey found on McDonald’s receipts.
The receipt should come with a 12-digit code which you can enter into the Food for Thought website alongside your submitted survey.
You’ll then receive a five-digit code which is your voucher for the £2.99 offer.
There are some deals and offers you can only get if you have the My McDonald’s app, so it’s worth signing up to get money off your meals.
The MyMcDonald’s app can be downloaded on iPhone and Android phones and is quick to set up.
You can also bag freebies and discounts on your birthday if you’re a My McDonald’s app user.
The chain has recently sent out reminders to app users to fill out their birthday details – otherwise they could miss out on birthday treats.
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