The Met Office has officially named Storm Austen, warning that 70mph winds could hit 38 UK areas from Thursday, with severe power cuts, travel chaos and flying debris expected.
A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued, with forecasters urging residents across the affected areas to prepare for potential blackouts and disruption. Peak wind speeds could smash into parts of Wales and the south of England on Friday, with ferocious gusts reaching up to 70mph. The warning will be in place from midnight right through until midday.
Preparation Advice and Risks
With power cuts firmly on the cards for those in the firing line, national weather experts are urging households to get their supplies ready well ahead of time. To prepare in advance, people are urged to "consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items".
The fierce gale-force winds are expected to cause damage to buildings, with a potential risk of injuries and a "danger to life" from flying debris. Homeowners are also being told to do a sweep of their properties to prevent outdoor items from becoming dangerous missiles in the howling gales. People are urged to prepare for the winds by checking "loose items" around their homes, and securing them if necessary. These may include bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences, according to forecasters.
Travel Disruption and Coastal Danger
Travel chaos is also expected across the country. Rail, air, and ferry services could all face severe delays and cancellations, while major roads and bridges may be forced to close. Danger is set to mount along coastal paths and beaches too as massive waves crash ashore.
"There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties," the Met Office warned.
Met Office Statement and Full List of Affected Areas
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: "While the exact 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.
"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. Weather warnings are under constant review and could be updated as confidence increases, so it's important to stay up-to-date with the forecast in the coming days."
The full list of UK areas covered by the Met Office wind warning includes: Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton, West Sussex, Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Torbay, Wiltshire, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Herefordshire.
