Storm Austen brings upgraded rain warnings for Ireland and wind alert for southern UK
publishers 39articles 45first reported 20 Oct, 10:19 UTCdeveloping since 20 Oct · 10 editionstop 25 #7
Met Éireann has issued Status Orange rain warnings for six counties as Storm Austen, the first named storm of the 2026-27 season, approaches Ireland.
Waterford, Cork and Kerry are under an Orange warning from 10 a.m. Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday, while Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow will be covered from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. Friday. Intense rain could cause flooding, public transport disruption and very difficult travel conditions.
A nationwide Status Yellow rain warning is also scheduled from 7 p.m. Thursday until 8 a.m. Friday. Met Éireann expects widespread heavy and persistent rain on Thursday night, with flooding possible in southern and eastern counties, along with isolated thunderstorms and strengthening winds that could reach gale force in places. Marine warnings have also been issued around parts of the Irish coast.
In the UK, the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for strong winds from midnight to midday Friday across most of south-west England, southern Wales and parts of the south coast as far east as Brighton. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph are expected widely within the warning area, with speeds above 70 mph possible on exposed coasts. Many places could receive 20mm to 30mm of rain.
The storm is forecast to move west to east across the UK on Friday before entering the North Sea later that day, with winds easing afterward.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 30 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 39
- Source articles
- 45
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 30 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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