Storm Austen is forecast to bring gusts of up to 80mph across the UK from late Thursday 22 October into Friday 23 October 2026, triggering amber and yellow wind warnings issued by the Met Office. The amber warning is in effect from 3am to 10am on Friday for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, and parts of west Devon, while a wider yellow warning covers southern England and south Wales until 2pm.
Rail Network Impact in Southwest England and South Wales
The strongest winds are expected to affect rail lines in southwest England, particularly Cornwall, Devon, and coastal routes like the Dawlish sea wall. These regions face heightened disruption risks
including fallen trees and damage to infrastructure. The lines serving south Wales and southern England are also vulnerable to service interruptions due to the severe weather.
Rail Operator Service Adjustments
Great Western Railway (GWR) will run limited services between London Paddington and Plymouth, with a shuttle operating between Plymouth and Penzance during the storm period. GWR’s Sleeper service departing London Paddington on Thursday night will also terminate at Plymouth. CrossCountry has cancelled all services between Penzance and Plymouth on 22 and 23 October. Network Rail has implemented lower speed limits across the Devon and Cornwall network from the start of service until 1pm on
Friday 23 October to ensure safety. Temporary speed restrictions and the possibility of service suspensions on exposed track sections are anticipated.
Passenger Guidance and Travel Changes
Passengers are urged to check live departure boards and service updates before traveling on Friday, especially for morning journeys when winds are strongest. Replacement bus services may run where rail lines are closed, but buses have limited capacity compared to trains. Passengers holding advance tickets may be allowed to change their travel plans without fees depending on the train operator’s policies. Short-notice cancellations, diversions, and temporary suspensions of services on exposed routes are expected.
Official Statements and Preparedness Measures
Daryn McCombe, Western performance director
for GWR and Network Rail, said: “We’re grateful for everyone’s patience as our teams work hard to keep people moving safely. We’ll be doing everything we can to keep tracks clear, with chainsaw teams and specialist colleagues deployed to remove any debris as quickly as we can.” The Met Office’s deputy chief forecaster Chris Bulmer stated: “Storm Austen is expected to bring a spell of impactful weather to parts of the UK from Thursday night and through Friday. There is increasing confidence in disruptive winds across parts of southwest England, which is why an amber warning has been issued.” Network
Rail is deploying chainsaw teams and specialists to clear debris and maintain rail safety in Devon and Cornwall.
Storm Austen Background and Ongoing Weather Risks
Storm Austen is the first named storm of the 2026/27 UK storm season. Forecasts indicate heavy rain accompanying the high winds, which threaten trees, overhead power lines, signaling equipment, and track ballast, especially on coastal and exposed routes. These conditions have caused service disruptions in previous storms. The weather pattern linked to a possible El Nino event may prolong unsettled and severe weather into autumn, heightening risks for ongoing rail disruption.
Post-Storm Inspections and Continuing Disruptions
After Storm Austen passes, rail infrastructure teams will conduct overnight damage
inspections to assess tracks, signalling, overhead lines, and embankments. Early morning or late evening weekend services may face adjustments including shortened routes, diversions, or cancellations to allow repairs. Unsettled weather with strong winds and heavy showers is forecast to continue through the weekend, increasing the likelihood of further service interruptions beyond the immediate storm impact.
