Storm Austen: Latest Sussex weather forecast amid yellow weather warning
Here’s your weather forecast for Sussex today (Friday, October 23) as Storm Austen brings strong wind and rain to the coast.
The first named storm of the season hit Sussex overnight and has already caused damage and travel disruption across the county.
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place across Sussex from 1am to 5pm today.
Gusts of up to 60mph are ‘likely’, and will be combined with ‘periods of heavy rain’, according to the Met Office.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Neil Armstrong, said: “We’ve updated Amber and Yellow severe weather warnings for Storm Austen.
"This is the first stormy weather in the south of the UK this season and we expect some disruption as it moves through.
"With trees in leaf, it is likely fallen branches and trees could obstruct roads and railways so take extra care on the Friday morning commute.”
The weather service said power cuts may occur, and injuries and danger to life from flying debris is possible. It has also warned people to stay away from coastal areas as ‘injuries and danger to life could occur’ from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads and properties.
The second named storm of the season – Storm Boelo – impact Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend – but will miss Sussex.
Here’s today’s weather forecast for Sussex:
9am: Heavy rain across the county. Wind speeds of up to 25mph forecast in coastal locations, with gusts of 40mph possible and highs of nine degrees. Further inland, wind speeds of 9mph have been forecast, with gusts of 27mph possible and highs of 12 degrees.
12pm: Heavy rain continues. Wind speeds of up to 24mph forecast in coastal locations, with gusts of 46mph possible and highs of nine degrees. Further inland, wind speeds of 12mph have been forecast, with gusts of 35mph possible and highs of nine degrees.
3pm: 90 per cent chance of rain. Wind speeds reaching up to 30mph on the coast, with gusts of 57mph possible and highs of 11 degrees. Further inland, wind speeds of 19mph have been forecast, with gusts of 46mph possible and highs of nine degrees.
6pm: Forecast remains the same, with a 90 per cent chance of rain across Sussex, and winds of 30mph on the coast.
9pm: Severe weather gradually starts to ease. Less than five per cent chance of rain along the coast, but wind speeds of 31mph still forecast. Further inland, there is a 10 per cent chance of rain, with wind speeds of 18mph forecast.
12am: Less than five per cent chance of rain along the coast, wind speeds of 29mph forecast. Inland, there is a less than five per cent chance of rain, with wind speeds of 15mph forecast.
Saturday: Strong winds and rain will continue into Saturday (October 24).
Slightly warmer with highs of 16 degrees forecast, but wind speeds could exceed 30mph along the coast by 3pm.
Sunday: Conditions will start to ease by 7am on Sunday morning (October 25).
While strong winds of up to 30mph are still forecast along the coast, sunny conditions are expected across the county, with highs of 14 degrees.