Hurricane Ophelia is approaching the UK as forecasters warn of heavy rain and gusts of up to 80mph - while some areas of Norfolk and Waveney will enjoy a balmy 25C (77F).

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 could strengthen in the coming days and is currently making its way across the Atlantic Ocean, with Ophelia's remnants look set to reach the UK on Monday.

MORE: East Anglia set to bask in Indian summer this weekend with warm temperaturesThe west of the country will see the worst of the weather, with winds of between 60mph and 70mph forecast.

It will coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1987, which hit southern England overnight on October 15.

The storm caused damage estimated at £1 billion and claimed 18 lives.

Met Office forecaster Alex Burkhill said: 'Ophelia became a hurricane overnight and the forecast track takes it eastwards towards Iberia for the weekend.

'After that, indications are that by that point it will then have weakened and be no longer a hurricane or tropical storm, it will be extratropical.

'But then it will continue its way towards the British Isles, probably reaching us very early next week.'

Mr Burkhill said cold sea temperatures mean Ophelia will not be strong enough to be categorised as a hurricane when it hits Britain.

But he added: 'It's definitely something that we are keeping an eye on, for the possibility of some disruptive weather early next week.'

Monday will see a spell of 'very windy weather' sweeping across western parts of the UK, according to the Met Office, with the potential for gusts of 80mph in coastal areas, particularly in Northern Ireland.

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.