Published on : 23 Oct 2026
TRENDING: STORM AUSTEN, THE FIRST NAMED STORM OF THE SEASON, IS HITTING SOUTHERN BRITAIN THIS MORNING WITH AN AMBER WIND WARNING FOR CORNWALL, THE ISLES OF SCILLY AND WEST DEVON. CROSSCOUNTRY TRAINS AND THE SCILLONIAN III FERRY ARE CANCELLED, AND BRITTANY FERRIES HAS CANCELLED HIGH-SPEED SAILINGS TO GUERNSEY. HERE IS WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING.
Published: October 23, 2026
Storm Austen is crossing southern Britain late Thursday into Friday, October 23, in the middle of the October half-term getaway. The Met Office warns of power cuts, possible damage to buildings, and a danger to life from large waves and beach material thrown onto coastal roads and seafronts.
| Warning | Area | Time | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMBER wind | All of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, parts of west Devon (and Plymouth) | 03:00–10:00 Friday | Gusts 60–70 mph widely, possibly about 80 mph on exposed headlands |
| Yellow wind | Parts of the South East, South West, Wales and Herefordshire | Midnight to 2pm Friday | Gusts 50–60 mph |
| Yellow rain | Parts of southern and eastern Scotland | 6am Friday to 3am Saturday | Heavy rain, with 50–80 mm possible in the southeast of Scotland |
| Yellow rain (Ireland, Met Éireann) | Ireland-wide | 7pm Thursday to 8am Friday | Difficult travel and localised flooding possible |
| Guernsey | Channel Islands | Peak around 7am Friday | Storm force 8–9, possibly 10. A red wind warning is expected for Guernsey, per the Guernsey Press |
The Met Office says there is “some uncertainty in the exact track”, but “increasing confidence” in disruptive winds for the southwest. Winds ease through Friday afternoon and evening as the storm moves east.
Confirmed cancellations
| Service | Status |
|---|---|
| CrossCountry | Plymouth–Penzance services cancelled Thursday Oct 22 and Friday Oct 23 |
| Scillonian III (Penzance–St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly) | Friday’s sailing cancelled. Passengers booked Friday are being moved to Saturday Oct 24, which depends on a further weather assessment. Day-trip passengers will be contacted for rebooking or a full refund |
| Brittany Ferries | High-speed sailings to and from Guernsey cancelled Thursday and Friday, plus Thursday evening’s conventional Portsmouth sailing |
Disruption or warnings, not blanket cancellations
| Service | Status |
|---|---|
| Great Western Railway | Reduced Friday timetable and speed restrictions until about 1pm. Long-distance trains from London Paddington end at Plymouth, including Thursday’s Night Riviera sleeper. Some early services cancelled for track inspections |
| Loganair | Flights via Bristol, Newquay, Exeter, Jersey and Southampton are planned to operate, but weather disruption is possible. Free changes within 14 days, with no fare difference |
| Isles of Scilly Skybus | Weather advisory for Thursday afternoon and Friday. Changes are free, no cancellations confirmed, and new bookings on affected dates are restricted |
| Wightlink (Isle of Wight) | Services could be disrupted at times Friday. Free date changes or full refund available, with no blanket cancellation confirmed |
| Aurigny | Free date changes for all Alderney services and all Guernsey flights on Friday |
| Roads | Strong crosswinds, fallen trees and delays, particularly on exposed routes in Cornwall and Devon |
We did not find confirmed storm cancellations at Bristol, Exeter, Newquay, Cardiff or Southampton airports. Check your airline’s live status before leaving home.
The Met Office says the weather stays unsettled into next week, with another low that could bring strong winds to northern parts of the UK on Saturday and Sunday. ITV News reports a “good chance” it becomes Storm Boelo later on Saturday, with the north and northwest most at risk. Met Éireann forecasts a very windy Saturday in Ireland.
This means disruption may not simply end on Saturday morning. Re-check your journey for Saturday and Sunday.
| Situation | What generally applies |
|---|---|
| Flight cancelled (UK airline or departing a UK airport) | UK261: choice of refund or rerouting, plus care (meals, refreshments, accommodation where needed). Storms are extraordinary circumstances, so fixed cash compensation usually does not apply. Keep receipts |
| Flight still operating | You do not get a weather refund just because you’d rather not travel, unless the airline offers a waiver. Loganair’s waiver covers only its own flights, not connections on other airlines |
| Train cancelled or delayed | Use the operator’s Delay Repay scheme if eligible, or ask for a refund. Check the operator’s ticket-easement notice |
| Ferry cancelled | Ask for a refund or rebooking. Scillonian III passengers are being moved to Saturday or refunded |
| Package holiday (UK) | The Package Travel Regulations 2018 apply. Ask your organiser |
| Travel insurance | Cover for weather delays varies by policy and usually has a minimum delay period. Read your policy wording and keep proof of cancellation or delay. Call your insurer before you rebook |
✓ Check your airline, train and ferry status the morning you travel ✓ Screenshot booking references and any waiver notices ✓ Take the free-change option before you are cancelled, if your plans are flexible ✓ Keep receipts for meals, accommodation and transport if you are stranded ✓ Allow at least double your normal journey time for road trips in the southwest ✓ Secure garden furniture, bins and trampolines at home ✓ Charge phones and power banks in case of power cuts ✓ Stay away from beaches, seawalls and harbour edges ✓ Re-check Saturday and Sunday plans for the possible second storm
Posted By : Vinay
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and is based on information available at the time of publication. Travel advisories, airline schedules, airport operations, visa requirements, government regulations, and other travel-related information are subject to change without prior notice. While Travel Tourister makes reasonable efforts to verify information using official announcements, government publications, airline and airport communications, and other reliable sources, we cannot guarantee that all information remains complete, accurate, or up to date at all times. Readers should independently verify any information that may affect their travel plans with the relevant airline, airport authority, government agency, embassy, or other official source before making travel, financial, or other decisions. Travel Tourister shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, inconvenience, or damages arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this article. Nothing in this publication constitutes legal, immigration, financial, or professional travel advice. If you believe any information in this article is inaccurate or outdated, please contact our editorial team. We review all credible correction requests promptly and update our content whenever appropriate.
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