Storm Austen is set to sweep across the West Midlands on Friday, October 23, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning for the region. Gusts of up to 55mph are forecast between 10am and 9pm, raising concerns over travel disruption, power outages, and hazardous driving conditions, especially for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes.
Met Office warning details
The yellow warning covers the entire West Midlands, with the Met Office highlighting that while winds may not be as severe as those further south and west, a spell of inland gales is possible. A spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Whilst the winds across the warning area are not expected to be as strong as those further south and west, a spell of inland gales is possible with gusts around 45 to 55mph during Friday daytime."
"In combination with locally heavy rain and many trees still in full leaf, there is potential for some power outages and travel disruption," the spokesperson added. The warning period runs from 10am to 9pm, with the strongest winds expected during the daytime hours.
Stronger winds further south
The most severe conditions are forecast for Devon and Cornwall, where an amber warning has been issued for Cornwall and parts of Devon. There, gusts could reach 70mph, significantly higher than the speeds expected in the West Midlands. Storm Austen is the latest in a series of extreme weather events to affect the region, following wildfires that impacted areas of Stourbridge and surrounding countryside earlier this summer.
Residents are advised to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecasts and to check local travel alerts before making journeys. The yellow warning indicates the possibility of moderate disruption, including short-term loss of power, delays to public transport, and hazardous conditions along coastal routes.
Outlook into Saturday
Winds are expected to remain strong into Saturday, with gusts of around 40mph, although no further weather warning is currently in place for that day. For the latest weather updates and travel information, residents are encouraged to monitor Met Office forecasts and local transport alerts.