Londoners should brace for a wet and blustery end to the week, with Storm Austen expected to bring heavy rain from Thursday night and gusts approaching 50mph on Friday.
The season’s first named storm will sweep across southern Britain from late Thursday, with the Met Office warning of travel disruption, possible power cuts and debris in parts of London and the South East.
Storm Austen to hit capital with near-50mph winds and heavy rain
Heavy rain is forecast to reach the capital from around 11pm on Thursday and continue for much of Friday, while winds strengthen through the day. Gusts could reach about 48mph by Friday afternoon.
A separate Met Office yellow warning now covers Greater London from 10am to 9pm on Friday. It warns of “inland gales” with gusts of around 45mph to 55mph, alongside locally heavy rain.
The Met Office says the combination of strong winds, rain and trees still in full leaf could cause some power outages and travel disruption.
Weather warnings in place for Storm Austen
An amber wind warning is in force for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and the Isles of Scilly between 3am and 10am on Friday, where gusts of 60mph to 70mph are expected and up to 80mph in the most exposed coastal spots.
London is not under that amber alert, but it sits within a wider yellow wind warning covering London and the South East, the South West, parts of Wales and the West Midlands.
The yellow warning means disruption is possible rather than expected everywhere, but the Met Office says road, rail, air and ferry services could be affected, with longer journeys and cancellations possible.
When will Storm Austen ease?
Storm Austen is forecast to move eastwards through Friday, with winds gradually easing later in the day and into the evening.
But the unsettled weather will not disappear immediately. The Met Office expects further wind and rain over the weekend, with London likely to remain blustery on Saturday and Sunday.
How to stay safe
The Met Office advises securing loose outdoor items such as bins, garden furniture, trampolines and fences before the strongest winds arrive.
It also recommends checking travel updates before setting out, taking care near trees and buildings in high winds, and keeping torches, batteries and a charged phone to hand in case of power cuts.
