Travel warning issued for millions of rail passengers as Storm Austen to batter UK with 70mph winds

National Rail has warned passengers to expect disruption as Storm Austen brings winds of up to 70mph and heavy rain to parts of the UK later this week.

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning covering southern England and south Wales from late Thursday and until 2pm on Friday,, with strong gusts expected to cause travel delays, cancellations and longer journey times.

Forecasters have also warned of possible power cuts, damage to buildings and the risk of injuries from flying debris.

In response, National Rail has urged customers to check before travelling, warning that services could be affected as the storm moves in.

Wet and windy weather is expected sweep across the UK later this week

AFP/Getty

Passengers have been advised to check their entire journey before travelling, with strong winds meaning trains may have to run at slower speeds to operate safely, and the raised possibility of trees and other debris blocking tracks or damaging power lines.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said: “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.

“Peak gusts in excess of 70mph are possible on the most exposed coastal areas, while 50 to 60mph are likely more widely within the warning area.”

It comes as forecasters predict a huge El Nino phenomenon in the Pacific could cause wetter and wilder weather this autumn.

The Met Office issued an update earlier this week on the polar vortex that could cause chaos in London and across the UK this winter.

In the Met Office’s long range update, the forecast read that weather systems from the Atlantic “will bring spells of rain, heavy at times, together with a risk of strong winds or gales.”

“Between systems it will be drier and brighter with some sunshine, but also with a few showers in places. Temperatures may be slightly below normal at first, but are likely to rise above average later,” it said.