Amber warning in place as Storm Austen hits parts of UK
Storm Austen is currently impacting the UK with powerful winds and heavy rain, leading to travel disruptions, power cuts, and school closures. The Met Office has issued multiple yellow weather warnings across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Why it matters
Severe weather events like Storm Austen pose immediate risks to public safety and infrastructure, necessitating widespread emergency coordination.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images By Chris Fawkes Lead Weather Presenter Published 23 October 2026, 01:08 BST Updated 2 hours ago Yellow weather warnings remain in force as Storm Austen batters a large swathe of the UK with powerful winds and heavy rain on Friday.
South West England is forecast to be worst hit by the storm which the Met Office warns could bring travel disruption and power cuts and a possible danger to life.
Wind gusts of 60-70mph, with 80mph in exposed locations, are forecast across Cornwall and parts of Devon, where the Met Office warning is in force until 17:00 BST.
Wind gust of 45-55mph are forecast more widely across most of England and Wales, where a less severe yellow warning will be in force until 21:00 BST.
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