⚠️ BREAKING WEATHER NEWS – STORM AUSTEN HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN NAMED! ⚠️ Good afternoon everyone, Well, it's official! The Met Office has now named STORM AUSTEN, the first named storm of the 2026/27 storm season, and it's heading towards the UK later this week! And unfortunately, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly could be among the areas experiencing some of the strongest winds! We've been keeping a very close eye on this developing area of low pressure here at KWT HQ for several days, and now that it has officially been named, it's certainly one to take seriously. SO WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? Storm Austen is forecast to develop rapidly as it approaches the UK, with the powerful Atlantic jet stream helping the area of low pressure deepen. Conditions are expected to deteriorate during Thursday afternoon and evening, 22nd October, with heavy rain spreading across parts of Cornwall and winds strengthening overnight into Friday, 23rd October. The Met Office has issued a YELLOW WEATHER WARNING FOR WIND from 00:00 until 12:00 on Friday. Wind gusts of 50–60mph are expected more widely within the warning area, with gusts exceeding 80+ possible in the most exposed coastal locations. For Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, this could mean a particularly rough spell of weather, especially around exposed headlands, coastal roads and waterfront communities. WHAT ABOUT OUR COASTLINE? With strengthening winds and a developing Atlantic swell, we're also keeping a close eye on the possibility of large waves and dangerous sea conditions. This is not the weather for standing on harbour walls trying to get that perfect photograph! The ocean doesn't care how many Facebook likes your picture gets, and one unexpected wave can be extremely dangerous. HEAVY RAIN IS ALSO EXPECTED. Current forecasts suggest rainfall totals of around 20–30mm in many affected areas, with locally higher amounts possible, particularly over higher ground. Heavy rain combined with strong winds could create difficult driving conditions, surface water and disruption to travel. There is also the possibility of fallen branches, damage to buildings, power cuts and disruption to ferry services. PLEASE REMEMBER! Although Storm Austen has officially been named, the exact track and intensity are still being refined. A relatively small change in the track of the low-pressure system could make a significant difference to where the strongest winds occur. We'll be watching this very closely over the coming days, and further changes to weather warnings are possible. For now, it's worth checking that garden furniture, bins, trampolines and anything else that could take an unexpected flying lesson across the neighbourhood are properly secured! And if you've got travel plans for Friday morning, particularly involving coastal routes or ferries, please keep checking for updates. Here at Kernow Weather Team, we'll continue monitoring the latest weather models, wind gust forecasts, rainfall predictions and coastal conditions. We're not here to frighten people, we're here to help everyone prepare and stay safe. And as I've said before, Mother Nature certainly knows how to keep us meteorologists busy! After weeks of fairly repetitive weather, the Atlantic has apparently decided to wake up and make up for lost time! Take care, everyone, and please share this update to help keep others informed. Stay #WeatherAware Kind regards, KWT Dave From moor to shore, we've got Cornwall covered.