Met Office issues amber wind warning for Cornwall and west Devon as Storm Austen approaches

UPDATE - follow-up to Amber warning issued as Storm Austen threatens UK with strong winds and heavy rain: The Met Office has issued an amber warning for strong winds covering Cornwall and parts of west Devon from 03:00 to 10:00 BST on Friday. Wind gusts could reach 80 mph (130 km/h) on exposed coastal headlands and 60‑70 mph inland. A wider yellow warning spans southern England and south Wales, while southern and eastern Scotland face a yellow heavy‑rain warning that may bring 20‑40 mm of rain, up to 80 mm locally, and possible flooding. The storm, a deep low‑pressure area in the Atlantic, will move close to south‑west England Thursday night, bringing the strongest winds early Friday morning and later spreading across much of southern UK. The Met Office rates the risk of significant disruption as high, citing likely delays to road and rail, impacts on air and ferry services, power cuts, flying debris and large waves that could cause injuries. The centre of Storm Austen is expected to pass through the English Channel, potentially exposing the Channel Islands to damaging winds exceeding 80 mph. Heavy rain will also affect southern and eastern Scotland, with a chance of snow above 600 m as cold air meets the wet weather.

Context

Strong winds and heavy rain from Storm Austen come as parts of southern England are under a drought alert, making the incoming rain both a hazard and a needed relief.