The first named storm of autumn could hit the UK this week, with forecasters warning of heavy rain, strong winds and possible snow in parts of Scotland. Atlantic weather systems are expected to sweep across the country towards the end of the week, bringing unsettled conditions, longer spells of rain and increasingly windy weather.
Storm Austen Could Be Named
The Met Office said the system could become the first named storm of the season if it meets the criteria for naming. It would be called Storm Austen under the naming system used by the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands.
However, there remains uncertainty over the system's path, with BBC Weather warning that it could track further south than initially expected. If the low-pressure system moves south, its effects could be more severe in France and less significant in the UK. In that scenario, France's national weather service, Météo-France, would name it Storm Bruna.
Heavy Rain and Snow Forecast
The latest unsettled spell began on Monday following a chilly weekend, with the Met Office forecasting further rain and strengthening winds throughout the week. Gales and heavy rain are possible on Thursday and Friday as Atlantic weather systems move across the country.
Weather model maps from the Global Forecast System (GFS) also show bands of heavy rain moving across the UK overnight from Thursday into Friday. The maps indicate the possibility of snow over the Scottish Highlands by midday on Friday, although the forecast remains subject to change.
Tuesday is expected to bring chilly and cloudy conditions, with outbreaks of rain across much of the UK. The south-west is forecast to be drier, with some brighter spells, while winds strengthen from the west. There is some confidence that wet and chilly conditions will persist until Friday, with temperatures remaining around average for the time of year.
Long-Range Outlook
The Met Office's long-range forecast for Friday, October 23, to Sunday, November 1, warns of further unsettled weather as Atlantic systems move in. It states: "Changeable and at times unsettled, with weather systems spreading in from the Atlantic."
"These will bring spells of rain, heavy at times, together with a risk of strong winds or gales. Between systems, it will be drier and brighter with some sunshine, but also with a few showers in places."
"Temperatures may be slightly below normal at first, but are likely to rise above average later."
The UK's storm season runs from September to August, with storms named when conditions are expected to cause significant disruption or damage. A storm is typically named when strong winds, heavy rain or disruptive snow could warrant an amber or red weather warning from the Met Office. If the incoming weather system meets those criteria, Storm Austen would become the first named storm of the season.
