The Met Office has named Storm Austen, the first storm of the 2026/27 season, and issued a yellow wind warning covering parts of southern England — with London facing gusts of up to 60mph on Friday morning.
The 12-hour yellow warning for wind runs from midnight to midday on Friday, October 23. It covers south Wales, the south-west and southern coastal counties of England, including parts of the south-east, with 38 local authority areas affected in total.
A rapidly deepening area of low pressure approaching from the Atlantic is expected to push heavy rain across England and Wales through Thursday night, with winds strengthening alongside it.
Gusts of 70mph possible on exposed coasts
Gusts of 50 to 60mph are expected widely within the warning area, with peaks above 70mph possible on the most exposed coastal stretches. The Met Office says there is still uncertainty over exactly where the strongest winds will land, and the warnings remain under constant review.
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 to 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.”
Travel disruption expected on Friday
Travel disruption, power cuts and damage to buildings are all possible, and residents are being urged to secure garden furniture, bins and trampolines before Thursday night. Anyone travelling on Friday morning is advised to check the latest warnings before setting off.
The storm is expected to clear into the North Sea by Friday evening, but it won’t be the last of the unsettled weather. A second, unnamed area of low pressure is forecast to move towards Scotland at the start of the weekend, bringing gusts of 70 to 80mph to western Scotland, with ferry delays and bridge restrictions possible.
London’s transport network is already braced for disruption this week, with Southern warning of disruption in Croydon and Southeastern running bus replacements in Bromley. Commuters should allow extra time for Friday’s rush hour and check with operators before travelling.
