Storm Austen named as North Wales faces gales and heavy rain

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 20 Oct, 13:29 · Archive

The Met Office has named Storm Austen, bringing gale-force winds and heavy rain to North Wales from Thursday night into Friday.

The Met Office has named Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, which will bring heavy rain and gale-force winds to North Wales from late Thursday into Friday. An area of low pressure forming in the Atlantic will rapidly deepen as it is invigorated by the jet stream, moving from west to east through Friday.

Wind speeds are forecast to reach around 42mph at Amlwch on Thursday night, increasing to 61mph at Holyhead by Friday morning. Peak gusts in excess of 70mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, whilst 50 to 60mph winds are likely more widely in warning areas. Heavy downpours are expected from 10pm on Thursday, lasting until around 10am on Friday.

A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued for south Wales and southern England, highlighting the chance of travel disruption, power cuts and injuries from debris in places. There is no weather warning in place for North Wales, despite the forecast of heavy downpours and strong winds with gale-force winds possible along the coast.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: 'While the exact track and position of Storm Austen is still being determined, what's clear is that 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.'

The weather will turn briefly settled from late Friday, before further rain arrives later Saturday. The storm will move from west to east through Friday, with winds generally diminishing later in the day.

How it is being reported

• Storm Austen named as North Wales braces for heavy rain and 'coastal gales'There is no weather warning in place for North Wales, but heavy downpours and strong winds are forecast, with gale-force winds possible along the coast.North Wales Pioneer · 20 Oct, 12:08
• Storm Austen named as North Wales braces for heavy rain and 'coastal gales'There is no weather warning in place for North Wales, but heavy downpours and strong winds are forecast, with gale-force winds possible along the coast.North Wales Chronicle · 20 Oct, 12:08
• Storm Austen named by Met Office as North Wales braced for gale force winds and torrential rain'What’s clear is that we have an impactful period of weather on the way and the potential for disruption in places'North Wales Live · 20 Oct, 11:25
• Met Office alert for Wales as first named storm threat loomsNorth Wales is facing heavy rain and gusts of more than 60 mph in coastal areas including Anglesey. The Met Office has issued a wind warning for mid and south Wales.North Wales Live · 19 Oct, 12:03

In this story: Met Office · North Wales · Holyhead · Anglesey · South Wales · Atlantic · UK · Tom Crabtree

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