By Charlie the Roofer for Roofline · Published · Checked against the sources listed below
The Met Office has issued two yellow wind warnings for our area. Storm Austen covers South and West Yorkshire from 10am to 9pm on Friday 23 October, with gusts around 45 to 55mph. Storm Boelo covers North Yorkshire and the Tees Valley from 6pm Saturday 24 October to 9pm Sunday, with gusts of 55 to 65mph and possibly 70 to 80mph on exposed coasts.
The two warnings and where they apply
The Met Office named Storm Austen on 20 October and Storm Boelo on 22 October. They are separate low pressure systems, and each has a yellow wind warning that reaches part of Yorkshire.
- Storm Austen, Friday 23 October, 10am to 9pm. South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, as part of a large area of England and Wales. The Met Office says winds here will not be as strong as further south and west, but inland gales are possible with gusts around 45 to 55mph during the day. It adds that locally heavy rain and trees still in full leaf raise the chance of power cuts and travel disruption.
- Storm Boelo, 6pm Saturday 24 October to 9pm Sunday 25 October. North Yorkshire, plus Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees. Gusts of 55 to 65mph are likely widely, with 70 to 80mph or more possible on some coasts and exposed ground. The warning lists "some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs" among the things that could happen.
When we checked on 22 October, Hull, the East Riding and northern Lincolnshire were not in either warning. Warnings can change at short notice, so check the Met Office page for your postcode before the weekend.
What to do before the wind arrives
The Met Office advises you to check for loose items outside your home and plan how to secure them, such as bins, garden furniture, trampolines, sheds and fences. It also suggests having torches, batteries and a phone power pack ready in case of a power cut.
For the roof itself, look from the ground, or from an upstairs window across the street, and keep off ladders and the roof.
- Look along the ridge for gaps or cracked mortar. Loose ridge tiles are often the first thing to move in a gale.
- Look for tiles or slates that sit out of line with the rest, and for flashing that has lifted around the chimney.
- Check that gutters and downpipes are not packed with leaves, as heavy rain is forecast alongside the wind on Friday.
Our winter roof checklist goes through these in more detail. If you find something now, a quick repair is usually cheaper than fixing what a storm does to it.
What to check once it has passed
When the wind has dropped, walk round the house and look for tiles or pieces of mortar on the ground. With a torch, look in the loft for daylight or fresh damp, especially around the chimney and along the ridge. If the roof rattled or banged overnight, our answer on why roofs rattle in strong wind explains the usual causes.
Take dated photos of any damage before anything is moved, as your insurer will want them. Our guide to storm damage insurance claims explains what insurers look for.
Doorstep callers often appear after a storm and say tiles are loose. Agree to nothing at the door, and read our advice on doorstep roofers first.
Getting it checked
Roofline is based in Barnsley and covers Yorkshire. Our inspections are free, we send you photos of what we find, and our quotes are free and itemised. Send a photo of the problem on WhatsApp to 07413 797731, or book a free inspection through our contact page.
Send us a photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we think it is and whether it needs a visit. Quotes are free and itemised.
Sources
- Met Office: UK weather warnings (checked 22 October 2026)
- Met Office: Storm Boelo named as strong winds forecast for northern UK (22 October 2026)
- Met Office: Storm Austen named (20 October 2026)
General information about roofing in England, checked against the sources above when published. It is not a substitute for advice about your own roof.
