FORECASTERS have issued a warning for heavy rain and gusts of up to 80mph when Hurricane Ophelia approaches the North West. 

The Met Office has issued severe weather alerts, warning of potential power cuts, damage to buildings and disruption to transport and mobile phone signal.

The tropical storm is making its way across the Atlantic Ocean and the remainder of Ophelia will reach the UK on Monday.

A yellow warning for rain has also been place until Saturday morning across parts of north England, with up to 50mm of rain over high ground and as much as 70mm over exposed hills.

A spell of windy weather will sweep across the North West on Monday.

Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected and there could be power cuts with the potential to affect other services such as mobile phone coverage.

Forecasters say some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, is possible, and could lead to injuries and danger to life from flying debris, while coastal routes and sea fronts may be affected by spray or large waves.

Meanwhile, the mercury is set to rise over the coming days, with temperatures of 25C (77F) predicted.

A Met Office spokeswoman said: “The east side of the country certainly benefiting from some warmer temperatures into the weekend and at the start of next week.”

She said temperatures in the south east will be around 20C (68F), going up to 22C (72F) or 23C (73F) on Sunday and “almost mid 20s” on Monday, possibly getting to around 25C (77F).

“Even up as far as Nottingham on Monday will see quite widely again 20C/21C, but may well see 22C/23C,” she said.