Storm Austen Forecast to Hit Southern UK

Source reports published 19 Oct 2026, 10:34 am – 20 Oct 2026, 10:00 am AEST

A deep area of low pressure is expected to cross the UK this week, bringing potential heavy rain and strong winds. Forecasts indicate a possible named storm, Storm Austen, with potential disruption in southern areas.

What happened

• The UK is forecast to experience disruptive weather conditions as a strengthening jet stream, triggered by temperature contrasts across North America, develops.
• The Environment Agency has declared severe drought for parts of southern England, with rainfall remaining deficient.
• Mean temperatures have been between 1 and 3 Celsius above normal for October, with the lowest autumn temperature recorded at minus 4 Celsius in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
• The Met Office predicts that Storm Austen, currently named by Met Éireann, will approach the south-west of the UK by Thursday, with gusts of up to 60mph expected in southern areas.
• A yellow severe weather warning for strong wind has been issued for south-west England and southern Wales.
• Tom Crabtree, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, stated that the exact track of the storm is still being determined but that disruption is possible.
• The Met Office anticipates 20mm-30mm of rain across many areas, with potential for Gale force winds.
• The storm year runs from September to August, with a list of names used to label successive storms.
• Holly Clements, Met Office head of warnings and guidance, highlighted the effectiveness of storm naming in improving communication of severe weather risks.

Original reporting

• BBC: UK Weather: Stormy weather possible as jet stream roars to life
  2026-10-19T00:34:38.264000+00:00
• Guardian: Storm Austen forecast to hit southern UK
  2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00