Back-to-back storms leave 131,000 homes without power in UK
Amber warnings cover Scotland and parts of Northern England and Ireland as winds peak and flights are cancelled.
By Kwame Silva ·
Storm Boelo generated maximum wind gusts of 80 mph across exposed coastal areas in the United Kingdom on Saturday evening. The Met Office activated its second-highest alert level for these strong winds. The storm is the second named system to affect the country this autumn season.
Amber weather warnings took effect at 9 p.m. on Saturday for mainland Scotland and northern England, extending south to Carlisle. These warnings remained active until 9 p.m. on Sunday. A separate alert covered the northeast of Northern Ireland from 9 p.m. on Saturday until 10 a.m. on Sunday. Yellow wind warnings extended further south into parts of England and North Wales.
Wind speeds reached 75 mph at the South Uist Range in the Western Isles before the amber warnings fully engaged. The same speed was recorded in the Highland and Eilean Siar regions. Forecasters expect sustained gusts between 60 and 70 mph across the warning zones, with higher peaks at sea-facing locations.
Storm Boelo followed Storm Austen, which moved through the UK on Friday. Gusts of 76 mph were measured at St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly during the earlier storm. Wind speeds of 74 mph were recorded at Aberporth in southwest Wales, and 71 mph at Culdrose in Cornwall. The National Grid reported that power had been restored to more than 131,000 properties by 7 p.m. on Saturday, though hundreds of homes in the southwest remained without electricity.
Heavy rainfall accompanied the winds, with White Barrow in Wiltshire recording 72 millimeters of rain since 8 a.m. on Saturday. Cwm Dyli in North Wales and Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond in Scotland both measured 43 millimeters. The Environment Agency issued 58 alerts for potential flooding in England by 8 p.m. on Saturday, alongside 12 warnings indicating that flooding was expected in specific locations.
Disruption affected air travel and public events. Dublin airport cancelled nine outbound and ten inbound flights as of 4 p.m. on Saturday. Six inbound flights performed go-arounds, with five landing on the second attempt and one diverting to another airport. Visit Liverpool cancelled its River of Light event, and London called off Diwali on the Square celebrations scheduled for Sunday. Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire also closed their doors.
Jason Kelly, the Met Office chief forecaster, stated that the strongest winds and greatest potential for disruption would occur in the north. He advised the public to stay indoors to avoid flying debris and crashing waves. Kelly urged residents to secure loose outdoor items and plan ahead for travel. Network Rail shared images of a trampoline and a shed near the tracks, prompting a call for residents to fasten garden furniture.
