Britain is braced for 80mph winds as the first named storm of the season approaches, prompting the Met Office to issue an amber weather warning.
Storm Austen is developing in the Atlantic and will continue to strengthen before it arrives in the UK early on Friday morning.
The warning – the second-highest the Met Office issues – is valid for Cornwall, Devon, the Isles of Scilly and Plymouth from 3am until 10pm on Friday.
A separate yellow wind warning across southern parts of Wales, Herefordshire in the West Midlands, and the South West and South East, will remain in place from midnight on Friday until 12pm the same day.
Gusts of up to 80mph are expected around exposed coasts, with winds of 60 to 70mph expected elsewhere.
A yellow rain warning has also been issued in parts of southern and eastern Scotland between 6am on Friday and 3am on Saturday.
Between 20mm and 40mm is expected to fall across impacted areas, with some locations to be battered with rainfall of up to 80mm.
The warning area includes much of Scotland, from as far south as the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway to Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire.
The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for 80mph winds as the first named storm of the season approaches Britain
The amber warning – the second-highest that the weather agency issues – is valid for Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly and Plymouth from 3am until 10pm on Friday
Parts of the west, including all of Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Glasgow are affected, with the majority of the east also forecast to be hit by the rain.
The Met Office website says there is a ‘small chance’ homes and businesses could be flooded, causing damage to buildings.
For those who live in areas under the amber warning, road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.
Flying debris, large waves and beach material being thrown on to sea fronts could pose a risk of injury or a danger to life.
Power cuts with the potential to affect mobile phone coverage are also possible, as well as damage to buildings, such as tiles being blown from roofs.
Residents in affected areas should prepare their properties by securing any loose items such as bins, trampolines or garden furniture.
They should also gather torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items before the storm hits, the Met Office said.
Those planning on using public transport on Friday and the weekend should check bus or train timetables before travelling.
Wind gusts of up to 80mph are expected around exposed coasts with gusts of 60 to 70mph to develop elsewhere
Londoners woke to a steady drizzle on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach just 11C – a stark contrast to the 20C warmth last week
The amber warning is also likely to force some roads and bridges to close.
Residents living in the areas under the warning have been urged to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid the strong winds.
The windiest conditions are forecast for coastal headlands in north and west Cornwall, however gusts of 70mph could occur in inland areas.
The Met Office said the weather is expected to remain unsettled through the weekend and into next week while low pressure is likely to bring strong winds to northern parts of the UK on Saturday and Sunday.
Deputy chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said: ‘Storm Austen is expected to bring a spell of impactful weather to parts of the UK from Thursday night and through Friday.
‘While there remains some uncertainty in the exact track of the storm, there is increasing confidence in the potential for disruptive winds across parts of southwest England, which is why an amber warning has been issued.
‘Wind gusts could potentially reach 60-70mph for a time, and these strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain.
‘People in affected areas should keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings as the event develops.’
Storm Austen is set to batter Britain this weekend as families prepare to travel for half-term
Londoners woke to a steady drizzle on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach just 11C – a stark contrast to the 20C warmth last week.
Heavy rain will begin lashing the capital from 11pm on Thursday with the wet weather to continue long into Friday.
Strong winds are forecast on Saturday, with showers in the afternoon. Sunday will bring slightly warmer and drier conditions, with highs of 17C.
Families heading to the coast for half-term have been encouraged to ‘keep a close eye’ on the forecast, which the AA warned will make driving ‘much more difficult’.
A spokesman for the AA, Tony Rich, urged drivers heading to the coast to take care.
He said: ‘With half-term approaching, many families will be looking forward to getting away, so we’d encourage anyone travelling towards areas affected by the forecast to keep a close eye on weather and travel updates before setting off.
‘Strong winds and heavy rain can make driving much more challenging, particularly on exposed roads and for those towing caravans or trailers.
‘Allow extra time, reduce your speed to suit the conditions and leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead.’
Torrential rain and strong winds are on the way to parts of England and Wales this week
Ross Macleod, RNLI water safety manager, has told people not to take ‘unnecessary risks’ when visiting the coast.
He said: ‘If you plan to visit the coast or a waterside location, we urge you to stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea.’
News of an impending downpour may, however, be welcomed in some areas after the hottest summer ever recorded in Britain.
Only last week a ‘severe drought’ was declared in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex by the Environment Agency.
Water companies were urged to step up drought planning amid concerns about supplies as millions of people remain under a hosepipe ban.
Water storage levels have plummeted to just 31 per cent overall in Devon and Cornwall, while specific reservoirs have seen their capacities shrink.
The Met Office storm year runs from September to August, with each 12-month period having its own alphabetical list of names that are used to label storms.
This year’s list begins with Austen and continues with Boelo, Chloe, Dano and Evelyn, ending at W with Wende. They were chosen from more than 40,000 names after the weather authorities invited the public to make suggestions last year.
