The first named storm of the season, Storm Austen, is approaching the UK, bringing the prospect of wet and windy weather later this week.
However, it is only one part of an increasingly active weather pattern, with another deep area of low pressure possible this weekend and significant weather also developing across Europe and the western Pacific.
Will we see wet and windy weather before Storm Austen?
An active jet stream over the Atlantic is helping to drive a frontal system across the UK. This will bring a spell of heavy rain and strong winds through Tuesday night and into Wednesday.
Winds ahead of the front will come from the south, before turning north-westerly as the system moves through. This is a less common direction for the strongest winds across parts of southwest Britain, where trees and other structures may be more exposed than they would be during a typical south-westerly event.
Gusts exceeding 50 mph are possible around the western tip of Wales and along northern coastal areas of Devon and Cornwall. While these winds will not be as strong as those expected with Storm Austen, their direction could increase the potential for disruption on Wednesday morning. Rain will add to the unsettled conditions, making for an unpleasant start to the day in places.
The system will clear eastwards during Wednesday, allowing a brief ridge of high pressure to bring drier and brighter weather to some western areas. This quieter interlude will be short-lived, however, as further rain arrives later ahead of Storm Austen.
Met Office presenter and meteorologist, Alex Burkill, said: “Storm Austen will rapidly deepen as it approaches the UK, undergoing a process known as explosive cyclogenesis. Its central pressure is expected to fall by at least 24 hectopascals in 24 hours, making it what’s sometimes called a ‘weather bomb’.
“The most rapid deepening is expected during Thursday. As Storm Austen gets closer to the UK, it will reach maturity, meaning it will remain a deep area of low pressure but will no longer be strengthening at the same rate.”
Why is Storm Austen deepening so quickly?
Storm Austen is expected to deepen rapidly as it approaches the UK. The low-pressure system will cross the jet stream and move into an area known as the left exit region, where atmospheric conditions can support rapid development.
Forecast guidance shows the central pressure potentially falling by at least 24 hectopascals within 24 hours. This process is known as explosive cyclogenesis and is sometimes described as a “weather bomb”. The most intense features of a low-pressure system often develop during this period of rapid deepening.
The storm is expected to undergo its fastest development during Thursday. By the time it moves closer to the UK, the rate of deepening should begin to slow and the system will be reaching maturity. Nevertheless, it will remain a deep and potentially impactful area of low pressure.
Forecast models generally indicate a central pressure of between 970 and 980 hPa as the storm crosses the UK. There remains some uncertainty over its precise track, particularly how far north or south the centre will travel, but wet and windy weather is expected across many areas. The strongest winds are currently forecast across parts of southwest Britain from the early hours of Friday into Friday morning.
An amber warning for wind has been issued for southwest England on Friday between 3am and 10am, while a yellow warning for wind covers a larger area of southwest and southern England and south Wales between 12am and 2pm.
The jet stream is strengthening over the Atlantic, helping to drive a succession of low-pressure systems towards the UK. Expect spells of wet and windy weather over the coming days. Keep up to date with warnings here 👇 https://t.co/TfU9Ok8qZD https://t.co/mKakSXjDUd
— Met Office (@metoffice) October 20, 2026
Will we see another deep low this weekend?
Attention will then turn to a second area of low pressure approaching from the northwest during the weekend. Because this system is further away, there is a greater spread between forecast tracks.
Some forecast scenarios bring its central pressure close to the UK at between 940 and 950 hPa, although most place it within the 950 to 970 hPa range. This could make it deeper than Storm Austen.
Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and western areas are most likely to experience the strongest winds and heaviest rain. These regions are more accustomed to strong Atlantic winds, but a very windy and unsettled period could still have impacts. The forecast will continue to be refined as confidence in the system’s track and intensity increases.
Active weather around the world
Stormy conditions are also affecting southern Europe. Storm Adam, named by the Spanish meteorological service, has brought intense thundery downpours to eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands before moving eastwards. Heavy rain is expected across eastern France, northern Italy, the Alps and the Balkans, with several hundred millimetres possible in some locations. Significant snow could also fall over the Alps above approximately 2,500 metres.
In the western Pacific, Typhoon Champi is tracking towards Taiwan after passing south of Guam. Sustained winds exceed 115 mph, and the system could strengthen further. Taiwan’s mountainous terrain may enhance rainfall, with 700 to 900 mm possible over several days.
Meanwhile, poor air quality in Singapore has been linked to dry conditions, wildfires and smoke across the surrounding region, while Tropical Storm Agueda has brought heavy rain to the Seychelles before moving westwards.
With several significant systems developing simultaneously, the weather remains highly active both around the UK and further afield.
READ MORE:
What does it take for a storm to be named?
Week ahead: First named storm of the season set to arrive on Friday
Weather bombs: What causes explosive cyclogenesis?
Are the UK’s seasons changing?
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