Storm Boelo hits northern UK with 80mph winds

Travel plans across the northern United Kingdom were disrupted on Saturday evening as Storm Boelo arrived. The Met Office issued amber weather warnings for Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, and the far north of England. These alerts covered areas where gusts were expected to reach 60 and 70 mph. Exposed coastal spots faced winds up to 80 mph. The warnings were active from 9 pm Saturday until 9 pm Sunday.

Winds began picking up before the amber alerts fully took hold. Measured gusts of 75 mph hit the South Uist Range in the Western Isles. Similar speeds were recorded in the Highland and Eilean Siar regions. Rainfall also accumulated quickly. White Barrow in Wiltshire collected 72 mm of rain since 8 am Saturday. Cwm Dyli in North Wales and Inveruglas on Loch Lomond recorded 43 mm each.

This is the second named storm of the season. It follows Storm Austen, which struck on Friday. That earlier system brought 76 mph gusts to St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly. Winds of 74 mph were measured at Aberporth in south-west Wales. Culdrose in Cornwall recorded 71 mph. Hundreds of homes in the south-west remained without power after that event. The National Grid reported restoring electricity to over 131,000 properties by 7 pm Saturday.

Flooding concerns spread across England by 8 pm Saturday. The Environment Agency issued 58 alerts for areas where flooding was possible. Another 12 warnings indicated that flooding was expected in specific locations. The agency tracked the rapid accumulation of rain across the country.

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said the storm would be felt across the UK. He noted that the strongest winds and greatest disruption would occur in the north. Kelly advised people to stay indoors to avoid flying debris and crashing waves. He urged the public to secure loose items outside and plan ahead for travel.

Transport networks felt the immediate impact. Dublin airport cancelled nine outbound and ten inbound flights by 4 pm Saturday. Six inbound flights performed go-arounds. Five landed on the second attempt. One diverted to another airport before returning. Network Rail shared images of a trampoline and a shed near the tracks. The agency asked residents to secure garden furniture firmly.

Several public events were cancelled for safety reasons. Visit Liverpool scrapped the region’s River of Light event. The celebration features illuminated artwork. In London, the annual Diwali on the Square celebrations scheduled for Sunday were also called off. Independent health and safety experts made the recommendation. Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire also closed. The abbey had planned its Fountains by Floodlight event for Sunday.