UK weather: Amber wind warning issued ahead of Storm Austen

An amber wind warning has been issued for the South West of England on Friday, with gusts of up to 80mph expected.

The Met Office has warned that Storm Austen will bring strong northwesterly winds on Friday morning, combined with heavy rain.

The warning is in place for Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and Plymouth from 3am-10am on Friday.

Wind speeds could reach 80mph in exposed headlands, the Met Office said.

It has warned of longer journey times, injuries from falling debris, damage to buildings and potential power cuts.

Another yellow wind warning is in place from midnight on Friday until 2pm, covering London, the South East, South West, Wales and the West Midlands.

Storm Austen was named on Tuesday, with severe gales and heavy rain forecast - especially for western regions.

It is expected to move across southern Britain late Thursday and during Friday morning.

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.

"Wind gusts could potentially reach 60-70 mph 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."

The weather is likely to remain unsettled through the weekend and into next week.

An area of low pressure is likely to trigger strong winds in northern parts of the UK during Saturday and Sunday.

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The RNLI water safety manager Ross Macleod said: "We're asking the public to stay vigilant and not take unnecessary risks.

"If you plan to visit the coast or a waterside location, we urge you to stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea."

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