Storm Austen brings wind and rain warnings across UK

Storm Austen is forecast to bring damaging winds to southwest England and heavy rain to Scotland on Friday, prompting amber and yellow weather warnings from the Met Office. The amber wind warning covers Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and the Isles of Scilly. Gusts could reach 80mph at exposed locations, with winds of 60 to 70mph possible more widely in the warning area, the forecaster said. The exact track of the storm remains uncertain, although confidence is increasing that parts of southwest England will experience disruptive winds. The Met Office’s yellow rain warning for Scotland runs from 6am on Friday, October 23, until 3am on Saturday, October 24. It covers a broad area, including parts of southern and central Scotland and extending northeast towards Aberdeenshire. Rainfall of 20 to 40 millimetres is forecast widely, with 60 to 80 millimetres possible in some locations. The forecaster warned that flooding could damage homes and businesses and disrupt travel. Spray and floodwater may make driving difficult, cause road closures or delay trains and buses. Flooded roads could leave some communities cut off, and power cuts are possible. Met Office deputy chief forecaster Chris...