Storm Austen is set to arrive in the UK on Friday, bringing 70mph gusts to coastal areas and winds of 50-60mph elsewhere, with a yellow warning in place for parts of southern England and Wales, a forecaster has warned.
British Weather Services senior meteorologist Jim Dale has urged people in at-risk areas to secure loose objects and stay informed as the storm approaches, following several days of rainfall that could lead to localised flooding.
Wind Warning and Expected Gusts
A yellow wind warning is in place from 12am until 12am on Friday for the South West of England, southern England and parts of southern Wales. The warning highlights risks of travel disruption, power cuts and injuries from falling debris.
Peak gusts in excess of 70mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, while 50-60mph are likely more widely within the warning area, according to the Met Office. The warning also covers London, the South East, Herefordshire and southern Wales.
Forecaster Advice and Flood Concerns
Speaking to The Mirror, Mr Dale warned that the storm could hit at the worst possible time. "It could well happened at the worst possible time, which is rush hour on Friday morning," he said, advising people to consider postponing travel plans. He encouraged residents to secure items that might be loose around their homes, saying: "First of all, shift anything that can fly around the garden, from wherever it happens to be."
Mr Dale also expressed concern about rainfall in the days leading up to Friday, fearing some regions could become waterlogged. "The Thursday night to Friday morning one could create some localised flooding," he said.
Storm Track and Outlook
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree said the storm's track and position are still being determined. "While the 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," he said.
Storm Austen's impact is expected to wane late on Friday as it moves into the North Sea. Further periods of wind and rain are expected over the weekend and into the next week, with the heaviest rain more likely in western areas.
