Storm Boelo Batters Northern UK with 80mph Gusts and Travel Chaos
Gusts up to 80 mph prompted amber warnings and the cancellation of major public events in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England.
By David Almasi ·
The United Kingdom faced its second named storm of the season as amber weather warnings took effect on Saturday evening. The Met Office declared that the worst of the winds would peak from Saturday night onward, targeting specific regions in the north.
Forecasters predicted widespread gusts between 60 and 70 mph for the warning zone, which includes Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, and the far north of England. Exposed coastal locations were expected to see speeds reach 80 mph. These amber warnings represent the second most severe level of alert issued by the agency.
The alerts were active from 9 pm on Saturday until the same time on Sunday for mainland Scotland and northern England down to Carlisle. A separate warning covered the northeast of Northern Ireland from 9 pm on Saturday until 10 am on Sunday. Broader yellow wind warnings extended south into parts of England and North Wales.
High winds were already recorded before the peak. Maximum gust speeds of 75 mph were measured at the South Uist Range in the Western Isles, as well as in the Highland and Eilean Siar regions. The Met Office noted that heavy rain had produced substantial rainfall totals across the country since 8 am on Saturday.
White Barrow in Wiltshire recorded 72 mm of rain, while Cwm Dyli in North Wales and Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond both recorded 43 mm. The Environment Agency issued 58 alerts for areas in England where flooding was possible by 8 pm on Saturday, along with 12 warnings indicating expected flooding in specific locations.
Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen, which hit parts of the UK on Friday. Gusts of 76 mph were recorded at St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly during that earlier system. The National Grid reported that power had been restored to over 131,000 properties by 7 pm on Saturday, following outages in south-west England.
Transport and leisure activities faced immediate disruption. Dublin airport cancelled nine outbound and ten inbound flights as of 4 pm on Saturday due to weather issues. Six inbound flights performed go-arounds, with five landing on the second attempt and one diverting before returning. Network Rail shared images of a trampoline and a shed near the tracks, urging residents to secure garden furniture.
Several public events were cancelled for safety reasons. Visit Liverpool announced that the region’s River of Light event had been cancelled. The Diwali on the Square celebrations in London, scheduled for Sunday, were also called off after recommendations from independent health and safety experts. Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire closed on Sunday, with the latter cancelling its Fountains by Floodlight event. Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly advised the public to stay indoors and secure loose items outside.
