Storm Austen to batter UK with 70mph winds on Friday

Summarised from 5 outlets · 8 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 11:15 · Archive

The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, which is expected to bring gusts of up to 80mph to south-west England on Friday.

Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, is set to strike the UK from late Thursday and into Friday. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for wind covering Cornwall and parts of west Devon, valid from 03:00 until 10:00 BST on Friday. Wind gusts of up to 80mph are expected around exposed coasts in these areas, with 60–70mph gusts likely elsewhere within the warning zone.

A broader yellow Met Office warning covers large swathes of southern England and south Wales, with the warning valid from late Thursday until 2pm on Friday. Within this area, gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected more widely, with 70mph possible along exposed coasts. Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: 'We have an impactful period of weather on the way, and the potential for disruption in places, which has resulted in the system being named. Peak gusts in excess of 70mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, while 50 to 60mph are likely more widely within the warning area.'

The Met Office warns that flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life. There is also a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services such as mobile phone coverage. Damage to buildings and some road and bridge closures are possible. People should expect longer journey times and cancellations across road, rail, air and ferry services.

National Rail has warned passengers to expect disruption, urging customers to check their entire journey before travelling. Strong winds may force trains to run at slower speeds to operate safely, and trees or debris could block tracks or damage power lines. British Weather Services' senior meteorologist Jim Dale warned people living in at-risk areas to secure loose objects around their homes and remain aware of the risk posed by debris from trees, noting the storm 'could well happen at the worst possible time, which is rush hour on Friday morning'.

Forecasters predict a second area of low pressure could develop into a second named storm, potentially called Storm Boelo, which may reach northern parts of the UK over the weekend. ITV weather forecaster Becky Martin said forecasters are expecting disruptive winds and heavy rain across the north and northwest of the UK later on Saturday, with the worst weather in south-western parts on Thursday night into Friday and then in the north and north-west later on Saturday. The Met Office has indicated it is 'highly probable' that the yellow warning will be extended due to the following storm.

How it is being reported

• Storm Austen to batter Wales coast with 70mph windsGusts of wind about 50 to 60mph are likely to hit large parts of south Wales on Friday.BBC Science · 21 Oct, 11:10
• Why the UK could see a winter of floods – as first named storm of season arrivesThe Met Office has issued an amber weather warning following due to Storm AustenThe i Paper · 21 Oct, 11:01
• Travel warning issued for millions of rail passengers as Storm Austen to batter UK with 70mph windsThe storm is set to hit the UK from late Thursday and Friday, according to the Met OfficeEvening Standard · 21 Oct, 10:50
• Amber warning issued ahead of Storm AustenAn amber wind warning has been issued for the South West of England on Friday, with gusts of up to 80mph expected.Sky News · 21 Oct, 10:50
• Amber warning issued as Storm Austen threatens UK with strong winds and heavy rainThe deep area of low pressure is expected to move close to the south of the UK early on Friday with south-west England set to bear the brunt.BBC Science · 21 Oct, 10:04
• Met Office issues amber warning for Storm Austen – 4 areas face ‘danger to life’The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for wind covering Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and the Isles of Scilly as Storm Austen is also expectedThe Mirror · 21 Oct, 09:56
• Second named storm could follow Austen in just 48 hours - where it might strikeThe UK could be hit by two fierce storms within 48 hours bringing heavy rain and gusts of up to 70mph, with a danger to life warning issued for Storm AustenThe Mirror · 20 Oct, 22:54
• Brits urged to keep gardens clear as mega Storm Austen forecast to blast UK with 70mph gusts in just daysStorm Austen has finally been named and is set to bear down on Britain on Friday, following several days of rainfall that could lead to flood risks, a forecaster has warnedThe Mirror · 20 Oct, 14:47

In this story: Met Office · Cornwall · Devon · South West England · Southern Wales · Northern UK · Jim Dale · Tom Crabtree

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