Amber alerts activate as Storm Boelo brings 80mph winds following Storm Austen

UPDATE - follow-up to UK braces for worst of Storm Boelo as amber warnings due to come into force: Amber weather warnings are now active across northern parts of the UK as Storm Boelo moves across the country, bringing forecast wind gusts of up to 80mph in the worst-hit areas.

Storm Impact

Strong winds and heavy showers are intensifying through Saturday night, with widespread gusts hitting Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. The amber warning for Scotland and England stays in place until 21:00 on Sunday, bringing travel disruption and risks to life. Meanwhile, parts of Northern Ireland have amber warnings until 10:00 on Sunday. Wind gusts reached 75mph at South Uist Range in the Western Isles, Highland and Eilean Siar by Saturday evening.

Power And Services

This second named storm in two days follows Storm Austen, which left parts of south-west England without power. National Grid stated on Saturday that more than 124,000 properties have had power restored since the beginning of the storm, but hundreds remained without power on Saturday evening. In north-west England, more than 2,000 properties lost power on Saturday night.

Warnings And Closures

The Met Office warned that high winds can cause power cuts, flying debris, building and tree damage, travel disruption and danger to life from large waves. Yellow rain warnings cover the south-west, north-west, and south-east of England, the West Midlands and Wales until 23:00 on Saturday. Multiple events have been cancelled, including the River of Light event in Merseyside for the second day running, Knowsley Safari Park closing on Sunday, and markets such as Quayside Makers Market in Salford and Macclesfield Treacle Market in Cheshire. Dublin Airport cancelled several flights, and ferry operators StenaLine, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries cancelled crossings in the Irish Sea.

Context

Weather warnings in the UK are issued by the Met Office to alert the public to severe conditions like high winds and heavy rain that could impact daily life. Storm systems like Boelo and Austen frequently sweep in from the Atlantic during the autumn and winter months, bringing sudden changes to weather across the British Isles.