Yellow wind warning for Birmingham as Storm Austen arrives on Friday

Birmingham has been placed under a Met Office yellow warning for wind as Storm Austen sweeps across southern Britain on Friday.

The warning, which is in place for Friday 23 October, says a spell of strong winds, "touching gales at times", may bring some localised impacts. The Met Office has rated the likely impact as moderate, and the likelihood as high.

Inland gales possible

"Whilst the winds across the warning area are not expected to be as strong as those further south and west, a spell of inland gales is possible, with gusts around 45 to 55mph during Friday daytime," the Met Office said.

"In combination with locally heavy rain and many trees still in full leaf, there is potential for some power outages and travel disruption."

Trees in full leaf catch much more wind than bare branches, which is why autumn storms that arrive before the leaves have fallen can bring down more trees and branches than winter storms of the same strength.

Storm Austen is expected to arrive in the early hours of Friday, with strong winds from as early as 1am in the south-west. The strongest winds in Birmingham are expected during the day.

What it could mean

The Met Office says short power cuts are possible, along with delays and cancellations on trains and buses. There could also be fallen branches on roads and railway lines.

Further south and west, an amber warning is in place for Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and parts of Devon, where gusts could reach 70mph or more on exposed coasts, and people have been warned to expect damage to buildings, road closures and flying debris.

How to prepare

Residents are advised to secure loose objects such as garden furniture, trampolines and bins, which can be blown into roads or windows. Drivers should allow extra time, take care on exposed roads and watch out for debris and for high-sided vehicles being buffeted by the wind.

Fallen trees on public land can be reported to the city council, and anyone who sees a fallen power line should stay well away and call the national power cut number, 105. Anyone whose electricity goes off can also check the latest information and estimated repair times by calling 105.

Friday is also the last day of term for most Birmingham schools before the half-term holiday, so many families will be travelling at the end of the day. Rail passengers are advised to check with their train company before setting out.

The wind is expected to ease through Friday afternoon and evening as the storm moves away to the east, but the weekend looks unsettled, with another storm, Boelo, forecast to bring strong winds to northern parts of the UK.