80mph gusts expected as Storm Boelo targets northern Britain
Amber alerts cover Scotland and northern England while Dublin cancels 19 flights and 58 flood alerts issue in England.
By Natalia Costa ·
Storm Boelo is set to peak Saturday night, with the Met Office forecasting maximum gusts of 80mph at exposed coastal sites.
Amber weather warnings, the second most severe level of alert, are active from 9pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday across mainland Scotland and northern England down to Carlisle. A separate alert covers the northeast of Northern Ireland until 10am on Sunday. Yellow wind warnings extend south into parts of England and North Wales.
Winds were already strong before the alerts took full effect. The South Uist Range in the Western Isles recorded a 75mph gust, as did the Highland and Eilean Siar regions. The Environment Agency issued 58 alerts for possible flooding in England by 8pm on Saturday, plus 12 warnings for expected flooding.
Rainfall has been heavy since 8am on Saturday. White Barrow in Wiltshire measured 72mm of rain, while Cwm Dyli in North Wales and Inveruglas on Loch Lomond both recorded 43mm. This follows Storm Austen, which hit on Friday with 76mph gusts at St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly.
Over 131,000 properties had power restored by 7pm on Saturday after the previous storm left hundreds of homes in southwest England without electricity, according to the National Grid. Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said the strongest winds and disruption would occur in the north, advising people to stay indoors and secure loose items outside.
Travel disruptions have already begun. Dublin airport cancelled nine outbound and ten inbound flights as of 4pm on Saturday. Six inbound flights performed go-arounds, with five landing on the second attempt and one diverting. Network Rail shared images of a trampoline and a shed near the tracks, urging residents to secure garden furniture.
Public events in the north and London were cancelled for safety. Visit Liverpool called off the River of Light event, and the Diwali on the Square celebrations in London were scrapped following health and safety recommendations. Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire also closed for Sunday.
