UK Issues Amber Warnings as Storm Boelo Whips Northern Coasts
Met Office forecasts gusts exceeding 80mph and widespread ferry and rail disruption across Scotland and northern England this weekend.
By Rahul Mehta ·
The Met Office issued an amber warning for Scotland and northern England down to Carlisle as Storm Boelo approached on Saturday, forecasting winds that may exceed 80mph. The warning runs from 9pm Saturday to 9pm Sunday. A separate amber warning covers the north-east of Northern Ireland from 9pm Saturday to 10am Sunday. The forecaster advised residents to remain indoors due to risks from flying debris and crashing waves.
Boelo is the second named storm of the season, arriving immediately after Storm Austen struck south-west England on Friday. The Met Office said Austen is now clearing eastward. A yellow warning for wet and windy conditions covers the entire north of the UK from midday Saturday to 9pm Sunday, while a heavy rain warning applies to Wales and parts of western and southern England from 11am to 11pm on Saturday.
TransPennine Express has advised against all but essential travel on Saturday and Sunday. Avanti West Coast urged passengers not to travel north of Preston on Sunday. Widespread disruption is expected on ferries and trains. The Met Office cautioned that power cuts similar to those in the south-west could occur across the northern amber areas. On Friday, 31,000 homes in the south-west lost electricity, with more than 3,700 still affected on Saturday morning according to the National Grid map.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill said strong gusty winds are the main 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," he said, adding that they would strengthen towards the evening. Boelo's winds are expected to peak from Saturday evening. Wet weather should clear overnight in many areas, though rain will continue in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK experienced its hottest summer on record this year, with five heatwaves and 40 days above 30C. At a summit on Friday regarding summer wildfires, Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned the country could face "a winter of greater flooding". He said "we're living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common".
Source: The Guardian
