Storm Austen: Amber Wind Warning for South-West England as 108 Areas Braced for Disruption

The Met Office has issued one amber and two yellow wind warnings covering 108 areas of the UK as Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, approaches, according to the Mirror [1]. The storm is expected to hit late on Thursday, with the most severe conditions affecting Wales and south-west England, the Met Office said [1]. An amber warning for south-west England is in force from 1am to 10am on Friday, with gusts of 60 to 70mph likely and the possibility of 80mph winds over exposed headlands, according to the Met Office [1]. A yellow warning covering mainly Wales and south-west England runs from midnight until 5pm on Friday, with gusts of 50 to 60mph expected and some coastal and exposed locations in south-west England potentially seeing winds exceeding 70mph, the Met Office said [1]. Winds are expected to ease gradually during Friday afternoon, according to the forecaster [1]. A second yellow warning, covering a wider area of England including much of the south, centre and parts of north-west England and Yorkshire, runs from 10am to 9pm on Friday. The Met Office said winds in this area would not be as strong as further south and west, but gusts of 45 to 55mph were possible during the day, with spells reaching gale force at times causing localised disruption [1]. All three warnings state that power cuts are possible, and the Met Office has advised people in affected areas to prepare by gathering torches, batteries and mobile phone power banks [1]. The warnings covering Wales and south-west England state that "injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible," and that buildings could be damaged [1]. Road, rail, air and ferry services could all face delays or cancellations, according to the Met Office [1]. Tom Crabtree, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said the exact track and position of Storm Austen was still being determined, but added: "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." He said peak gusts in excess of 70mph were possible on the most exposed coastal areas, with 50-60mph likely more widely within the warning area, and urged people to stay up to date with the forecast as confidence increases and warnings are reviewed [1]. In its forecast for Thursday, the Met Office said: "Severe gales in the south and west, these easing later. Winds increasing through the day elsewhere, with heavy rain or showers for many but brighter further west. Feeling rather cold" [1].