Britain to be battered by fierce 70mph gales as Storm Austen arrives inside days
Despite the UK enjoying an Indian Summer earlier this month, Brits are set to get hammered by incredibly strong winds expected to hit the southern coastline later this week
Storm Austen is on its way (stock)(Image: PA)
Brits are set to be hammered by gusts of 70mph as Storm Austen hits the UK’s southern coast on Friday. A weather warning for strong winds has been issued by the Met Office ahead of the arrival of the first named storm of the season.
Storm Austen is forecast to bring gusts of 50-60mph to southern areas of the UK at the end of the week, with 70mph possible along exposed coasts. The warning currently runs from midnight to midday on Friday October 23 and covers most of south-west England, along with southern Wales. Parts of the south coast as far east as Brighton are also affected.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “While the exact track and position of Storm Austen is still being determined, 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.
It’s about to get very windy (Image: PA)
“Peak gusts in excess of 70mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, while 50-60mph are likely more widely within the warning area.
“Weather warnings are under constant review and could be updated as confidence increases, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the forecast in the coming days.”
It comes after the 21C Indian Summer sunshine last week – with forecasters now predicting a string of 400 mile-wide Atlantic systems.
Storms are set to hit the south of the UK(Image: PA)
The worst of the conditions are due on Friday and Sunday. Met Office chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “High pressure will loosen its grip, allowing for lower pressure and Atlantic weather systems increasing the chance of wet and windy weather for all areas.”
Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis added: “Proper autumn is finally on its way for all parts, with deep low-pressure areas bringing spells of heavy rain and gales.”
Meanwhile, three further stormy periods are due next week with families on school half term and Halloween revellers facing a washout.
