Met Office issues yellow weather warning as Storm Austen brings strong winds and heavy rain to Banbury

Banbury and other parts of the South, Midlands and northern England are braced for strong winds, heavy rain and possible gales today (Friday, October 23) as Storm Austen sweeps across the country.

The Met Office’s yellow weather warning for strong winds starts at 10am and remains in place until 9pm.

Some households in the South West, where an amber warning has been issued, have already experienced power cuts as the storm moves across the UK.

Residents are advised to secure loose items around their properties or bring them indoors to reduce the risk of damage or injury.

Items to check include bins, plant pots, garden furniture, trampolines and sheds.

Drivers are also being urged to check for delays and road closures before travelling and to adjust their speed to account for strong wind gusts.

The Met Office advises motorists to take extra care around high-sided vehicles and caravans on exposed roads, exercise caution when overtaking larger vehicles and give cyclists, motorcyclists, lorries and buses more room than usual.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Whilst the winds across the warning area are not expected to be as strong as those further south and west, a spell of inland gales is possible with gusts around 45 to 55mph during Friday daytime.

“In combination with locally heavy rain and many trees still in full leaf, there is potential for some power outages and travel disruption.”

Unsettled weather is expected to continue through the weekend and into next week, with another area of low pressure potentially bringing strong winds to northern parts of the UK.

For the latest weather warnings and advice, visit: https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?