Storm Austen is expected to move away from the UK into the North Sea late on Friday, but forecasters at BBC Weather now warn that another "deep area of low pressure" will follow on Saturday, potentially bringing gusts of 80mph to western parts of Scotland.
The first named storm of the season, Austen, is set to batter the UK from Thursday. The Met Office has already issued amber and yellow weather warnings for strong winds ahead of its arrival. Areas across Wales and southern England could see wind speeds of up to 70mph from midnight on Thursday to 2pm on Friday, while heavy rain is expected across much of the rest of the country.
Second Storm to Follow on Saturday
BBC Weather forecasters say the second storm is "not expected to be as severe as Austen" and is therefore unlikely to be named, but it could still bring significant disruption. "Delays or cancellations to ferries and restrictions on bridges" are possible for Scotland, the BBC forecast adds. "It will turn windy elsewhere across the UK throughout Saturday with heavy rain spreading east for most of us."
Weather modelling maps from the ECMWF model show heavy rain making landfall in South Wales, the south-west of England and western Scotland at around midday on Saturday. Some of the precipitation may also fall as snow over higher ground in northern Scotland, the maps suggest.
Rain and Snow into Sunday
By 6pm on Saturday, the maps show western Scotland, the north-west of England, almost all of Wales and the south coast being drenched by rain. Some rain could persist into Sunday too, impacting northern and western areas. The maps also show some snow is possible on Sunday, in western Scotland and the Lake District.
The Met Office says Storm Austen will begin to approach the UK on Thursday, invigorated by the jet stream. It will then move from west to east through Friday, with winds "generally diminishing" later in the day. As well as potential winds of up to 70mph along coasts in southern England and Wales, the Met Office says rain is an "additional hazard". As much as 20-30mm could fall in many places, with higher totals possible over higher ground in the west and further north.
The Met Office adds: "While Storm Austen's influence will wane late on Friday as it moves into the North Sea, further periods of wind and rain are likely through the weekend and into the start of next week, with the heaviest rain more likely in western areas."
