Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, brings amber warning and strong winds to UK

Summary

Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, is forecast to bring damaging winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK, with the worst expected at the end of the week. The Guardian reported that gusts of up to 60mph are expected in southern areas, that spells of rain and showers were forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, and that the storm would approach the south-west by Thursday, with a yellow severe weather warning issued for the system. The Met Office said the storm would be approaching the south-west of the UK by Thursday. BBC reports that a deep area of low pressure is expected to move close to the south of the UK early on Friday, with south-west England set to bear the brunt, and that an amber warning has now been issued as the storm threatens strong winds and heavy rain.

Timeline

1. BBC

   20 Oct 2026, 09:42 UTCSource ↗

   BBC reports that the first named storm of the season, Austen, will bring damaging winds and heavy rain to parts of the UK on Friday, and that a weather warning has been issued.

2. The Guardian

   20 Oct 2026, 14:04 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that the first named storm of the season, Austen, is expected to bring gusts of up to 60mph to southern areas of the UK at the end of the week, with a yellow severe weather warning issued and the Met Office saying it will approach the south-west by Thursday.

3. BBC

   21 Oct 2026, 09:04 UTCSource ↗

   BBC reports that an amber warning has been issued as Storm Austen threatens the UK with strong winds and heavy rain, with a deep area of low pressure expected to move close to the south of the UK early on Friday and south-west England set to bear the brunt.