Satellite image shows Storm Austen sweeping towards UK as Met Office issues ‘danger to life’ warning

Storm Austen is sweeping towards the UK tonight as the country prepares to be battered by strong winds and heavy rain.

The Met Office shared a satellite video of the storm on Thursday (22 October) as it heads for Britain.

An amber “danger to life” wind warning has been issued for parts of southwest England, where heavy rain and severe gusts of up to 80mph are forecast.

Storm Austen, the first of two storms hitting the UK this weekend, is expected to cause travel chaos and potential damage towards the tail end of the week.

In effect from 1am until 10am on Friday, the amber alert applies to Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and the Isles of Scilly. Gusts between 60mph and 70mph are predicted across these areas, peaking at 80mph in exposed spots.

These will be combined with spells of heavy rain, though winds will gradually ease over Friday.

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.”

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.

Over the weekend, Storm Boelo will affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England with what the Met Office described as “impactful winds”.

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 widely, with these reaching up to 70-80mph in more exposed coastal locations, the Met Office added.

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.

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.”