Storm Austen set to batter south east with strong winds
Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 22 Oct, 14:51 · Archive
Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/27 season, will bring strong winds and heavy rain to the south east from Thursday night into Friday.
Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/27 season, will arrive in the UK from late Thursday, moving west to east across the country on Friday before weakening as it enters the North Sea. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for wind across southern England and south Wales, with the warning for coastal areas including Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight running from midnight to 5pm on Friday. A separate inland warning covers parts of Hampshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire from 10am to 9pm on Friday.
Gusts of 50mph to 60mph are expected in many affected areas, with exposed coastal locations potentially seeing winds exceed 70mph. Inland areas such as Reading and West Berkshire are forecast to experience gusts of 45 to 55mph. Heavy rain is also expected, with 20mm to 30mm forecast in some locations. The combination of strong winds, heavy rain and trees still in full leaf could cause power cuts and travel disruption.
Emergency services have urged people to take care and avoid unnecessary risks. The electricity network operator SSEN has entered 'weather warning status' and people have been advised to prepare for potential power cuts by gathering torches, batteries and mobile phone chargers. Residents are also urged to check road conditions and public transport timetables before travelling and amend plans if necessary. Some schools and businesses have announced plans to close during the storm's peak.
How it is being reported
- South braces for first named storm of the seasonHampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight, Berkshire and Oxfordshire prepare for Storm Austen.BBC Berkshire · 22 Oct, 13:54
- Met Office issues yellow weather warning for ReadingReading and West Berkshire are under a yellow weather warning, with winds associated with Storm Austen forecast to bring gusts of up to 55mph.Reading Chronicle · 22 Oct, 11:09
- Residents warned as Storm Austen barrels towards UK with heavy rainResidents in Reading and across Berkshire are being urged to prepare for wet and windy weather as Storm Austen approaches the UK.Reading Chronicle · 21 Oct, 11:26
- Warning issued as Storm Austen set to batter south eastResidents across the South East are being urged to prepare for disruptive weather as Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/27 season, approaches the UK.Reading Chronicle · 20 Oct, 15:55
In this story: Storm Austen · Met Office · Hampshire · Berkshire · Oxfordshire · Isle of Wight · SSEN · University of Reading
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