The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind on Monday 19 October 2026 at 12:13 BST, covering southern England and Wales. The warning runs from midnight to midday (00:00-12:00) on Friday 23 October, as a deep area of low pressure is forecast to track across the UK overnight from Thursday into Friday.
Where the warning applies
The yellow alert covers south-west England, south-west Wales and parts of the south coast extending towards West Sussex. In Wales, 17 local authority areas fall inside the warning zone, including Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Swansea, Cardiff, Newport and the Vale of Glamorgan, according to the Met Office warning details reported by Britbrief. The Met Office has said the exact track of the low-pressure system remains uncertain, and some forecast models point to a more northerly route that could instead bring stronger winds to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Expected wind speeds
Forecast wind gusts for Friday 23 October 2026| Area | Expected gusts |
|---|
| South-west England and south-west Wales (widespread) | 50-60mph |
|---|
| Exposed coastal spots in the south-west | up to 70mph (113km/h) |
|---|
| Mid and south Wales | among the strongest gusts in the warning zone |
|---|
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said the system was a particular focus for forecasters: "An area of the forecast we're particularly focusing on is the development of a potentially deep area of low pressure that could cross the UK overnight on Thursday and through Friday."
Could it become Storm Austen?
The Met Office, Met Éireann and the Dutch forecaster KNMI jointly name storms that are expected to bring amber or red warnings for wind, rain or snow. Austen is the first name on the shared 2026/27 storm list, chosen in tribute to Austen H Nagle, the first director of the Irish Meteorological Service, appointed in 1936, according to The Irish Times.
As of Monday 19 October, the Met Office had issued only a yellow warning for the system expected on 22-23 October, which PreparedBritain described as insufficient on its own to trigger an official storm name. Met Éireann said it would continue monitoring the system in collaboration with the Met Office and would name it if it met the criteria for a storm, The Irish Times reported.
Impact in Ireland
The same low-pressure system is also expected to bring very windy conditions to Ireland on Thursday, with strong and gusty north-westerly winds focused on the south coast, The Irish Times reported. Heavy rain was forecast to spread from the south-west across the country on Thursday before clearing eastward overnight, with blustery conditions continuing into the following bank holiday weekend.
Advice for residents
- Secure loose garden items such as bins, furniture and trampolines
- Be alert to the risk of flying debris and possible roof tile damage
- Expect possible disruption to road, rail and ferry travel
- Watch for large waves and hazardous conditions at the coast
- Be aware of the possibility of power cuts in affected areas
Questions
- When does the Met Office yellow wind warning start and end?
- It runs from midnight (00:00) to midday (12:00) on Friday 23 October 2026, following a low-pressure system crossing the UK overnight from Thursday.
- Which areas are covered by the warning?
- South-west England, south-west Wales (including 17 Welsh local authority areas such as Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea) and parts of the south coast extending towards West Sussex.
- How strong will the winds be?
- The Met Office expects widespread gusts of 50-60mph, with exposed coastal spots potentially seeing up to 70mph (113km/h).
- Will this system be named Storm Austen?
- It would be the first storm of the 2026/27 season if named, but as of 19 October only a yellow warning had been issued; Met Éireann and the Met Office said they would continue assessing whether it meets the amber/red threshold required for naming.
- What should people in the warning area do?
- Officials advise securing loose outdoor items, watching for flying debris, allowing extra time for travel, and being cautious near coastal areas due to large waves.
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