Storm Boelo brings amber wind warnings to Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland
Gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected widely in the amber areas from Saturday night, with yellow rain warnings covering much of England and Wales during the day.
Storm Boelo is moving across the UK this weekend, and the Met Office has raised its wind warnings for the north to amber. The main amber warning runs from 21:00 on Saturday until 21:00 on Sunday and covers most of mainland Scotland, North East and North West England and North Yorkshire. A second amber warning for counties Antrim and Londonderry runs from 21:00 on Saturday until 10:00 on Sunday.
Within the amber areas, the forecaster expects gusts of 60 to 70mph widely and up to 80mph on exposed coasts. Gusts of 50 to 60mph are possible elsewhere in the UK. The Met Office updated its warnings on Saturday morning, pushing the amber zone further south into northern England and removing most of Northern Ireland from it.
Rain first, then the wind
Before the strongest winds arrive, a band of heavy rain is crossing the country from the west. A yellow rain warning is in force from 11:00 to 23:00 on Saturday for Wales, South West England, London and the South East, the West Midlands, North West England and North Yorkshire. The Met Office says surface water flooding, spray on roads and some delays to buses and trains are likely, with a small chance of flooding to homes and businesses.
A further yellow rain warning covers parts of northern and eastern Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Highlands, from 21:00 on Saturday until 15:00 on Sunday. Totals of 20 to 40mm are expected widely there, with 60 to 80mm possible in a few places.
On Sunday, England and Wales should be mostly dry but breezy, while the north stays wet and windy until conditions ease from the south west later in the day.
What an amber warning means
The Met Office sets each warning level by combining how likely the weather is with how much damage it could do. An amber warning means there is an increased chance of impacts that could disrupt plans. For Boelo, the forecaster lists possible power cuts, flying debris, damage to buildings and trees, road and bridge closures, travel disruption and dangerous waves on the coast.
Its practical advice is to tie down or bring in loose items such as bins, plant pots and garden furniture, to turn trampolines over or peg them down, and to lock shed doors. Drivers are advised by the RAC to slow down, leave a bigger gap and avoid exposed coastal and upland roads where possible. People are told to stay away from cliff edges and rough seas, and to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they see someone in trouble.
A busy week of storms
Boelo, which the Met Office named on Thursday, follows Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season. Austen brought a gust of 76mph to St Mary's Airport on the Isles of Scilly on Friday, 74mph at Aberporth in Ceredigion and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.
The unsettled spell is not over. A yellow wind warning has already been issued for Tuesday covering much of Scotland, North East England, Cumbria and parts of Northern Ireland, as another area of low pressure arrives. The Met Office says higher pressure may bring calmer weather to some areas towards the end of next week.
