The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for Storm Austen, with winds of up to 80mph expected as the first named storm of the season approaches the UK.
The storm is developing in the Atlantic and is forecast to strengthen before reaching Britain early on Friday. The amber warning, the second-highest level issued by the weather service, covers Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and Plymouth from 3am until 10pm.
Gusts of up to 80mph (130km/h) are expected around exposed coasts, while winds of between 60mph and 70mph could affect more widely spread areas.
A separate yellow wind warning will be in force from midnight until noon on Friday across southern Wales, Herefordshire, the South West and the South East.
Storm Austen warnings across the UK
A yellow rain warning has also been issued for parts of southern and eastern Scotland from 6am on Friday until 3am on Saturday.
Between 20mm and 40mm of rain is expected across the affected areas, with some locations potentially receiving up to 80mm. The warning stretches across much of Scotland, from the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.
All of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow are among the areas affected, while much of eastern Scotland is also forecast to see heavy rain.
The Met Office said there was a small chance that homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to buildings. Transport services could also be disrupted, with road, rail, air and ferry journeys facing delays or cancellations.
Officials warned of possible injuries from flying debris, large waves and beach material being thrown on to sea fronts and coastal roads. Power cuts could affect mobile phone coverage, while buildings may be damaged by items such as roof tiles being blown loose.
People in the amber warning area have been advised to stay indoors as much as possible. They should secure loose objects including bins, trampolines and garden furniture, and gather torches, batteries and a mobile phone power pack.
Those intending to use public transport on Friday or over the weekend have been urged to check timetables before travelling. Some roads and bridges are also likely to close.
The strongest winds are expected on coastal headlands in north and west Cornwall, although gusts of 70mph could reach inland areas.
Met Office deputy chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: “Storm Austen is expected to bring a spell of impactful weather to parts of the UK from Thursday night and through Friday.”
“While there remains some uncertainty in the exact track of the storm, there is increasing confidence in the potential for disruptive winds across parts of southwest England, which is why an amber warning has been issued,” he said.
“Wind gusts could potentially reach 60-70mph for a time, and these strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain. People in affected areas should keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings as the event develops.”
London is expected to see heavy rain from 11pm on Thursday, with unsettled conditions continuing into Friday. Strong winds are forecast for Saturday, followed by showers in the afternoon, while Sunday is expected to be slightly warmer and drier, with highs of 17C.
The AA warned that driving would be more difficult for families travelling during half-term, particularly on exposed roads and for people towing caravans or trailers.
Its spokesman Tony Rich said: “We’d encourage anyone travelling towards areas affected by the forecast to keep a close eye on weather and travel updates before setting off.”
“Strong winds and heavy rain can make driving much more challenging, particularly on exposed roads and for those towing caravans or trailers. Allow extra time, reduce your speed to suit the conditions and leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead,” he said.
The RNLI also urged people visiting the coast or waterside locations not to take unnecessary risks. Water safety manager Ross Macleod said conditions could knock people off their feet or wash them into the sea, and advised visitors to stay a safe distance from the water.
The unsettled weather comes after severe drought was declared in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex. Water storage levels in Devon and Cornwall have fallen to 31 per cent overall, while millions of people remain under hosepipe bans.
The Met Office storm year runs from September to August. This season’s list begins with Austen and includes Boelo, Chloe, Dano and Evelyn, ending with Wende.
