Storm Austin to bring amber winds before Storm Bulow hits at weekend

The UK is preparing for two named storms in quick succession after the Met Office named Storm Austin and then Storm Bulow. Storm Austin, the first named storm of the season, was forecast to arrive from the Atlantic overnight into Friday and was expected to bring the strongest winds to south-west England and the Channel Islands.

An amber wind warning covered Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Devon. Forecasters said gusts could reach 70 to 80 mph in exposed coastal areas, with widely 50 to 60 mph across southern Britain. Yellow wind warnings covered southern Wales, the West Country, the English Channel coast and much of England. A red wind warning was issued for the Channel Islands shipping area, with force 10 winds and gusts of up to 80 mph possible. The Met Office warned that trees in full leaf could come down, buildings could be damaged, power supplies could be interrupted and travel could be disrupted, with rough seas and large waves around the coast.

The storm was expected to coincide with the Friday morning rush hour. In the Channel Islands, schools were due to close, Guernsey airport was to shut until 2pm, ferries were cancelled and public buildings were closing. Emergency services asked drivers to keep roads clear. In Cornwall, businesses boarded up windows, holiday parks asked some guests to leave early or delay arrivals, around 40 schools were closed or opening late and the train line between Plymouth and Penzance was suspended. The RNLI urged people to stay away from exposed coastal water.

Rain was also a major concern. A yellow rain warning covered eastern and southern Scotland, where 60 to 80 mm could fall in places and cause localised flooding. Forecasters said the wet weather would be slow moving in parts of eastern Scotland.

Storm Bulow, the second named storm of the season, was then expected to follow on Saturday and Sunday. The Met Office said Storm Bulow was named after a Dutch weather forecaster. It was forecast to bring gales and heavy rain, with the strongest winds focused on Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, although its effects could be felt more widely. Gusts of 55 to 65 mph were possible in northern areas, with some exposed spots reaching 80 mph. A wind warning covered northern parts of the UK for the weekend. Forecasters warned of further travel delays, damage to buildings and power cuts, and said another low pressure system could bring wet and windy weather early next week.

The Met Office and weather presenters linked the unsettled spell to a strong jet stream over the Atlantic, which was developing deep areas of low pressure and pushing them towards the UK. The timing coincides with half-term holidays for many schools. Forecasters stressed that the situation was developing and that warnings could be expanded or escalated, so people should check updates before travelling.