Storm Austen live: ‘Danger to life’ warning to come into effect with 80mph winds to batter UK

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Drivers and passengers are being warned that falling trees could pose deadly risks and disrupt their journeys as two storms are set to sweep across the UK, bringing winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain. The Met Office says there may be flooding, and has issued weather warnings for very strong northwesterly winds, with widespread gusts of 60-70mph in the southwest and some of up to 80mph around exposed headlands. Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, is expected to affect southwest England on Friday (23 October), with an amber warning for wind issued in Cornwall , Devon and the Isles of Scilly from 1am. Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will hit Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England with what the Met Office described as “impactful winds”. There will be “widespread gusts” of 55-65mph widely, with these reaching up to 70-80mph in more exposed coastal locations, the Met Office added. Storm Boelo is a separate low pressure system to Storm Austen, which is due to clear into the North Sea by Friday morning. Flooding and travel disruption forecast Heavy rain is due on Friday as Storm Austen tracks eastwards. It will be heaviest in southern and eastern Scotland, where a yellow weather warning has been issued from 6am to midnight on Friday. Accumulations of 20-40mm are expected within the warning area throughout this time, with 60-80mm possible in some locations, the Met Office said. This could bring flooding and travel disruption in a few places. Jane Dalton 22 October 2026 23:59 People warned to stay away from cliff edges People are warned to stay away from cliff edges and from stormy seas. They are also urged to check for loose items outside homes – such as plant pots, garden furniture, trampolines and bins – and to plan for them to be secured in high winds. Neil Armstrong, chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “This is the first stormy weather in the south of the UK this season and we expect some disruption as it moves through. “With trees in leaf, it is likely fallen branches and trees could obstruct roads and railways so take extra care on the Friday morning commute.” Jane Dalton 22 October 2026 23:00 How the storms will cross the UK on Friday Jane Dalton 22 October 2026 22:00 Storms to hit opposite ends of UK Chris Bulmer, deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, said: “Storm Boelo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend, impacting the opposite end of the country to Storm Austen. “Gusts of 70-80mph in exposed coastal areas and high ground are possible, with 50-60mph gusts more widely. “The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy rain, making for an impactful weekend of weather. “Severe weather warnings and forecast detail will continue to develop, so people should keep up to date with the forecast over the next few days.” Jane Dalton 22 October 2026 21:20 Winds to hit Scotland and Northern Ireland hard Yellow weather warnings have been issued for the whole of mainland Scotland, the Western Isles, Orkney and the far north of England from 6pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday. There will be widespread gusts of 55-65mph, reaching up to 70-80mph in more exposed coastal locations, the Met Office said. A separate yellow warning, covering Northern Ireland from 6pm on Saturday to 3pm on Sunday, is due to predicted winds of 50-60mph, with up to 65-75mph in exposed regions. Storm Boelo is a separate low pressure system to Storm Austen, which is due to clear into the North Sea by Friday morning. ( Met office ) Jane Dalton 22 October 2026 21:10 Warnings issued as storms to batter UK The Met Office has issued warnings for wind and rain across parts of the UK, with two named storms due to bring disruption. Storm Austen is expected to affect southwest England on Friday – with an amber warning for wind issued in Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly from 1am. Very strong north-westerly winds, with gusts of up to 80mph on exposed headlands will be combined with spells of heavy rain, though winds will gradually ease over Friday. Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England. Jane Dalton 22 October 2026 21:01