Storm Boelo brings amber wind warnings to UK as recovery from Storm Austen continues
Households face further disruption this weekend as a second windstorm follows Storm Austen, bringing threats of power cuts, travel delays and potential damage to homes.
Key points
- Amber wind warnings are in place for much of Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England from Saturday evening until Sunday night.
- Forecasts predict widespread gusts of 60-70mph, with speeds potentially reaching 80mph in exposed coastal areas throughout the weekend.
- Engineers are working to restore power to hundreds of homes still affected by Storm Austen, while transport services face cancellations and potential disruption.
A second windstorm, named Storm Boelo, is set to impact the UK following the disruption caused by Storm Austen. The Met Office has issued a series of weather warnings for the weekend, as hundreds of properties remain without electricity.
Storm Boelo is expected to bring damaging winds and heavy rain across large parts of the country. These conditions follow Storm Austen, which caused travel issues and power outages across parts of southern England and Wales on Friday.
Weather warnings and forecasts
The Met Office has issued amber wind warnings for much of Scotland, the far north of Northern Ireland and the far north of England. These are effective from 21:00 BST on Saturday until 21:00 BST on Sunday. Separately, yellow wind warnings cover Orkney, the rest of Northern Ireland and northern England, where gusts of 55-75mph are expected.
Meteorologists warn that while wind speeds will be widespread at 60-70mph, exposed coastal areas could see gusts of up to 80mph. The storm is expected to bring heavy, persistent rain, increasing the risk of localised flooding. Conditions are anticipated to gradually improve on Sunday, though further wet and windy weather may arrive early next week.
Impact on travel and services
Transport networks, including rail, road, air and ferry services, face significant disruption. ScotRail has confirmed that some services will be cancelled from Saturday evening, and speed restrictions are planned for various rail lines. Authorities are advising the public to consider if travel is necessary and to allow extra time for journeys, as bridges and exposed routes may face closures.
Public safety remains a priority, with warnings that flying debris, large coastal waves, and falling trees could cause danger to life. People living in affected areas are urged to stay clear of damaged power lines and report issues to relevant providers. Some community events have been postponed or cancelled to ensure safety during the period of high winds.
What it means for you
- If you experience a power cut, call 105 for free to report it or check PowerCut105.com for advice; do not approach fallen or damaged power lines.
- Check your travel plans with rail, ferry or road operators before leaving, as cancellations and longer journey times are likely throughout the weekend.
- Monitor local weather forecasts and official social media updates for real-time information regarding event cancellations or facility closures in your specific council area.
- Stay away from coastal areas such as cliffs, seafronts and piers, as large waves and displaced beach material pose a significant risk to safety.
Where the reports differ: Sources differ on the rain forecast for Friday, with one reporting up to two inches while another cites a range of 60-80mm.
Sources
We compared these reports before writing and checked every figure, date and name in this story against them. Read them for the full detail.
- Energy Live News: Britain braces for energy battering as storms pile in (23 Oct)
- BBC News: Weather warnings in place ahead of Storm Boelo (23 Oct)
- BBC News: Scotland to be hit with 80mph wind gusts as Storm Boelo warning upgraded to amber (23 Oct)
- BBC News: Second storm to hit UK with up to 80mph gusts as hundreds still without power (24 Oct)
Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected]. This story was written with AI from the reports above and checked against them; it is not financial advice.
