Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, is set to batter southern England and Wales with 70mph gusts
A yellow wind warning from the Met Office applies to south-west England, south Wales and the south coast through to Brighton, running from midnight to noon on Friday. Forecasters warn that buildings could be damaged, flying debris may injure people and power supplies face disruption. Tom Crabtree, deputy chief forecaster, said 'an impactful period of weather' is on the way. Families on half-term breaks along the coast are facing a washout.
A second low on Saturday could bring 70-80mph gusts to western Scotland.
Between 20mm and 30mm of rain is expected in many places.
Met Éireann named the storm after Austen Nagle, the first director of Ireland's weather service.
More
The GuardianStorm Austen forecast to hit southern UKDaily MailStorm Austen to bring October half-term washout: First named storm of the season to batter drought-hit England with 70mph winds and heavy rainBBC NewsStorm Austen to bring severe gales to UK as weather warning issuedEvening StandardFirst named storm of the season to bring strong winds to parts of UKLBCFirst named storm of the season due to batter Britain next weekThe SunBritain's first storm of the season named with 70mph winds & heavy rain to batter UK in days as yellow warning issuedThe IndependentStorm Austen: First named storm of season to hit UK this week threatening 70mph windsEvening StandardWhen will first storm of season hit London? Capital facing 45mph winds and heavy rainThe HeraldStorm Austen to batter UK this week with heavy wind and rain - how it was namedIrish TimesStorm Austen: rain warning issued for ThursdayIrish IndependentStorm Austen to batter Ireland with strong winds and heavy rain later this weekDaily RecordParts of Scotland to be blasted by snow this weekend as first storm hits the UK
