Brief
Met Office issues wind warning for Storm Austen across southern UK
Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/27 season, is set to bring strong winds to south‑west England and southern Wales later this week.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Met Office has released a weather warning for strong wind ahead of Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026/27 season. The warning runs from midnight to midday on Friday 23 October and covers most of south‑west England, southern Wales and parts of the south coast as far east as Brighton.
Deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree told the Standard that peak gusts of over 70 mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, while 50‑60 mph gusts are likely across the broader warning zone. He added that the storm’s exact track is still being refined and that warnings will be updated as confidence improves.
The Met Office’s storm‑naming year runs from September to August, with each 12‑month period using an alphabetical list of names agreed with Ireland’s Met Éireann and the Netherlands’ KNMI. This year’s list starts with Austen and proceeds through Boelo, Chloe, Dano and Evelyn, ending with Wende. Names are chosen from public suggestions; for example, Chloe was nominated more than 130 times.
Holly Clements, head of warnings and guidance at the Met Office, said that naming storms helps communicate risk more clearly, enabling people to protect themselves, their families and property.
Key facts
- Storm Austen is forecast to bring gusts of 50‑60 mph across south‑west England and southern Wales, with up to 70 mph on exposed coasts. (standard.co.uk)
- The Met Office warning is in effect from midnight to midday on Friday 23 October. (standard.co.uk)
- Deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree said the storm’s track is still being determined and warnings may be updated. (standard.co.uk)
- Storm naming for the 2026/27 season is coordinated with Met Éireann and KNMI and starts with Austen. (standard.co.uk)
- Holly Clements said naming storms improves public understanding of severe‑weather risks. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “First named storm of the season to bring strong winds to parts of UK”
