Storm Austen named as Met Office warns of strong winds across southern Britain
A yellow warning covers parts of Wales and England on Friday, with coastal gusts above 70 mph possible. The storm’s exact track remains uncertain.
The Met Office named Storm Austen on Tuesday, 20 October, and issued a yellow wind warning for parts of southern Britain on Friday, 23 October. Forecasters expect gusts strong enough to disrupt travel and potentially damage buildings or cut power, although the storm’s exact track is still being determined.
Where the Storm Austen wind warning applies
The warning runs from midnight to midday on Friday, according to the Evening Standard’s Press Association report. It covers most of south-west England and southern Wales, as well as parts of England’s south coast as far east as Brighton. BBC Weather also identifies southern coastal counties of England within the warning area.
Storm Austen is the first named storm of the season. The Standard reported that gusts of 50–60 mph are forecast more widely across southern areas, while winds above 70 mph are possible on the most exposed coasts. BBC Weather said west Wales and southern England could see gusts of 50–60 mph.
Forecast disruption and the storm’s uncertain track
BBC Weather said the forecast winds could damage buildings, disrupt transport and cause power cuts. These are risks from the weather expected on Friday, rather than impacts already recorded. The warning gives people in the affected areas time to check their travel plans and follow updates as the forecast becomes clearer.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree said the storm’s exact track and position were still being determined. He said gusts above 70 mph were possible on exposed coasts and warned that weather warnings could change as confidence increases. The warning therefore describes the areas currently judged most at risk, rather than a fixed path for the storm.
BBC Weather expects rain and strengthening winds from Thursday night, before Storm Austen moves away later on Friday. It also forecasts a separate low-pressure system bringing more wet and windy weather on Saturday, including possible gusts of 70–80 mph in western Scotland. That Saturday forecast concerns another system, outside the Friday Storm Austen warning.
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Sources and context
- First named storm of the season to bring strong winds to parts of UKEvening Standard, reporting by the Press Association
- UK weather: Storm Austen named by Met Office as yellow wind warning issuedBBC Weather
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