Second Storm Boelo Braces Northern UK
Gusts exceeding 80mph and heavy rain are forecast to disrupt travel and power grids across the north this weekend.
By Petra Murphy ·
Storm Boelo is set to bring severe weather to the northern parts of the United Kingdom this weekend, marking the second named storm of the season. The system follows closely on the heels of Storm Austen, which hit the southwest of England on Friday and is now moving eastward.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning, the second-highest alert level, for Scotland and northern England down to Carlisle. This warning is in effect from 9pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday. A separate amber warning covers the northeast of Northern Ireland from 9pm Saturday until 10am Sunday. The forecaster warned that the conditions pose a danger to life due to flying debris and crashing waves, urging residents to stay indoors.
Travel is expected to face widespread disruption. TransPennine Express has advised passengers to avoid all but essential journeys on Saturday and Sunday. Avanti West Coast has strongly urged travelers not to head north of Preston on Sunday. Ferries are also facing cancellations and delays as winds pick up.
The Met Office cautioned that power outages similar to those seen in the southwest could occur in the northern amber warning zones. On Friday, 31,000 homes in the southwest lost electricity during the peak of Storm Austen. By Saturday morning, more than 3,700 homes in that region were still without power.
Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, identified strong winds as the primary concern. He noted that gusty winds would sweep across Northern Ireland, northern England, and Scotland, intensifying toward the evening. While temperatures are slightly above the seasonal average, Burkill described the combined effect of wind and rain as "pretty unpleasant." Winds are forecast to peak from Saturday evening, with wet conditions clearing overnight in many areas, though rain will persist in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the recurring extreme weather at a summit on Friday. He warned that the UK could face a winter of greater flooding. Burnham stated that the country is living in a world where unexpected events are becoming more common, while denying that the government is behind on civil preparedness.
