North Wales is braced for a spell of wet and increasingly windy weather as Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, approaches the UK later this week.

The Met Office says the storm could bring disruptive winds and heavy rain from Thursday night into Friday, although the strongest winds currently covered by an official warning are expected further south.

The North Wales coast is forecast to experience strong winds, coastal gales and showers during the coming days, with conditions expected to become particularly unsettled on Friday.

However, the latest yellow wind warning issued by the Met Office does not currently include Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd or Anglesey. Forecasters say the storm's precise track is still being assessed, and warnings could be updated as the picture becomes clearer.

Wednesday is expected to be wet and windy across much of Wales, with spells of heavier rain and strong winds reaching gale force around the coast. Temperatures are forecast to reach around 10 to 12 degrees in North Wales.

Thursday should bring a temporary improvement, with some drier weather and temperatures reaching around 14 degrees in places. But conditions are expected to deteriorate again overnight as rain and stronger winds move in from the Atlantic.

Friday is forecast to be particularly unsettled, with strong winds and showers, some of them heavy. The local forecast for the Colwyn Bay and Anglesey area describes conditions as very windy, with temperatures around 13 degrees.

The Met Office has warned that the strongest winds associated with Storm Austen are expected further south, where a yellow warning is in force from midnight until midday on Friday.

Across southern Wales and parts of south-west England, gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour are possible, with speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour in the most exposed coastal locations.

The warning also covers parts of the south coast of England as far east as Brighton. Potential impacts include travel disruption, delays or cancellations to transport services, power cuts and flying debris. Large waves could also pose a danger along exposed coastlines.

The storm is developing from an area of low pressure in the Atlantic, which is expected to deepen rapidly as it is strengthened by the jet stream.

Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Tom Crabtree said the system had been named because of its potential to bring impactful weather and disruption.

He said gusts exceeding 70 miles per hour were possible on the most exposed coasts within the warning area, while 50 to 60 miles per hour was expected more widely.

Rain will be an additional hazard, with 20 to 30 millimetres forecast in many places. Higher totals are possible over elevated ground in western parts of the UK and further north on Friday.

Storm Austen is expected to move from west to east across the country during Friday, with winds gradually easing later in the day as the system moves towards the North Sea.

But that does not mean the end of the unsettled weather. The Met Office expects further spells of wind and rain over the weekend and into the start of next week, with western areas more likely to see the heaviest rainfall.

For people living along the North Wales coast, the advice is to keep checking the latest local forecast, particularly if travelling or planning to spend time on exposed beaches and promenades.

Strong winds can make coastal paths hazardous, while large waves can sweep people off their feet even when they are standing on the shore. Residents are also advised to secure loose items outside their homes and allow extra time for journeys if conditions deteriorate.

The Met Office says its warnings will be reviewed as the storm develops, so the extent of the strongest winds and the areas affected may change.

The latest forecasts and weather warnings are available from the Met Office website.