80mph Gusts Expected as Storm Boelo Hits Northern UK
TransPennine and Avanti have suspended most travel while the Met Office issues amber warnings for Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland.
By Lina Lewis ·
Storm Boelo is bringing gusts above 80mph and heavy rain to the north of the United Kingdom this weekend.
The system arrives as the country recovers from Storm Austen, which hit the southwest on Friday. While Austen is clearing eastward, Boelo is forecast to bring frequent showers and strong winds to northern regions. The Met Office has issued an amber warning, its second most severe level, for Scotland and England north of Carlisle. This warning is active from 9pm Saturday to 9pm Sunday. A separate amber warning covers northeastern Northern Ireland from 9pm Saturday to 10am Sunday.
Forecasters have urged residents to stay indoors due to the risk of flying debris and crashing waves. A large yellow warning for wet and windy conditions covers the entire north of the UK from midday Saturday to 9pm Sunday. Additional heavy rain warnings apply to Wales and parts of western and southern England from 11am to 11pm Saturday.
Rail operators have moved to limit disruption. TransPennine Express has advised passengers to avoid all but essential journeys on Saturday and Sunday. Avanti West Coast has strongly urged travelers to avoid routes north of Preston on Sunday. Ferry services are also expected to face widespread interruptions.
The Met Office cautioned that power outages seen in the southwest could repeat in the amber warning zones. On Friday, 31,000 homes in the southwest lost electricity. By Saturday morning, more than 3,700 homes remained without power, according to National Grid data. Meteorologist Alex Burkill identified the winds as the primary concern. "They're really going to whip up some strong gusty winds across Northern Ireland, northern parts of England and also Scotland through the day," Burkill said.
Winds are expected to peak on Saturday evening. While wet weather should clear overnight in many areas, rain will persist in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Temperatures will sit slightly above the seasonal average, but the combination of wind and rain will make conditions feel unpleasant.
This storm follows a year of extreme weather. The UK recorded its hottest summer on file this year, with five heatwaves and 40 days above 30C. Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned on Friday that the country could face a winter of greater flooding. He stated that unexpected events are becoming more common, while denying that the government is lagging in civil preparedness.
