Storm Austen, the first major system of the 2026-2027 season, struck Western Europe on Friday, 23 October. Wind gusts reached 179km/h, leaving 300,000 French homes and 12,000 UK properties without power. Part of Brighton's 1866 also collapsed.
Transport networks faced severe disruption as rail services were suspended in Normandy and Paris. In England, fallen trees closed roads in Cornwall and Devon, while flights at Exeter were cancelled. issued orange alerts for much of the northwest.
The region now prepares for Storm Boelo this weekend, with the forecasting 129km/h gusts for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Network Rail Scotland will close several lines on Saturday night as the second storm of the season arrives across the UK.