National Rail has warned passengers to expect disruption as Storm Austen brings winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain to parts of the UK later this week.

The Met Office has issued a yellow wind warning covering southern England and south Wales from late Thursday and until 2pm on Friday,, with strong gusts expected to cause travel delays, cancellations and longer journey times.

There is also an amber warning in the south west from 3am until 10am on Friday.

Forecasters have also warned of possible power cuts, damage to buildings and the risk of injuries from flying debris.

In response, National Rail has urged customers to check before travelling, warning that services could be affected as the storm moves in.

Passengers have been advised to check their entire journey before travelling, with strong winds meaning trains may have to run at slower speeds to operate safely, and the raised possibility of trees and other debris blocking tracks or damaging power lines.

Met Office 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.

“Winds gusts could potentially reach 60-70 mph for a time, and these strong winds will be combined with spells of heavy rain.

It comes as forecasters predict a huge El Nino phenomenon in the Pacific could cause wetter and wilder weather this autumn.

The Met Office issued an update earlier this week on the polar vortex that could cause chaos in London and across the UK this winter.

In the Met Office’s long range update, the forecast read that weather systems from the Atlantic “will bring spells of rain, heavy at times, together with a risk of strong winds or gales.”

“Between systems it will be drier and brighter with some sunshine, but also with a few showers in places. Temperatures may be slightly below normal at first, but are likely to rise above average later,” it said.