GB News Breakfast presenters Stephen Dixon and Sophie Reaper interrupted their programme to deliver an urgent weather bulletin as Storm Boelo started lashing Britain with ferocious force. The latest storm follows Storm Austen, which struck on Friday October 23 and caused flight cancellations, railway disruptions and knocked out power to 31,000 households.
Reporter Battles Winds on Crosby Beach
Reporter Jack Carson updated the presenters from Crosby Beach on Merseyside, where a park run was still going ahead despite the dreadful weather. Battling against the battering wind, he said: "This is the second named storm of the year [with] 60 to 70 mile an hour winds in the kind of areas where we are this morning."
"This is part of the yellow weather warning, but as you go further north, that weather and those gusty winds are just going to get even worse. You're looking at the tip of Northern Ireland, most of mainland Scotland as well, covering that amber weather warning. That literally, essentially, means that there are a danger to life in some areas," he said.
Yellow Warning Timing and Prime Minister's Comments
Carson explained that the yellow weather warning in his location starts at around midday. "Essentially, it's coming in from the west, so Northern Ireland around this time, in about an hour's time, 10 o'clock in the morning, will be getting a lot stronger winds, and then it will eventually find its way to us over here in Crosby," he said.
He noted that people are being urged to take precautions, and that the Prime Minister said the resilience and preparedness of the country needs to be increased. Carson added: "He...said...we are potentially facing a winter of greater flooding, and it's about recognising all of those risks."
"Now it comes as this plan, this be prepared plan, be ready plan. Advice has been put out saying that you should have three days worth of supplies in order to protect yourself from severe weather and severe flooding," he said.
Amber Warning and 80mph Gusts Forecast
His update follows warnings that powerful gusts reaching up to 80mph will pound significant portions of Britain this weekend as Storm Boelo sweeps through. The Met Office has issued a "danger to life" alert for the incoming storm, including an uncommon amber wind warning spanning multiple regions across the nation. The alert takes effect at 9pm on Saturday October 24 and stays active until 9pm on Sunday.
Weather experts predict Storm Boelo will deliver powerful westerly winds, with widespread gusts between 60 to 70mph, while coastal regions could experience gusts hitting 80mph. The most ferocious winds are forecast to initially batter western Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland on Saturday evening, before sweeping eastwards through the night and continuing to lash other parts of the country throughout Sunday.
Met Office Advice
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster, Mark Sidaway, said: "Saturday morning will start dry and bright in the east of the UK, however further west rain and increasingly windy conditions will already be set in as people wake up for the day. This stormy weather will continue to move eastwards bringing rain and windy conditions to all of the UK."
"There are a number of severe weather warnings issued for Storm Boelo, including an Amber warning for all of mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the very far north of England. Gusts could reach up to 80mph in places. More widely gusts will still reach 50-60mph and spells of heavy rain could also lead to some impacts. People should prepare by securing loose items outside their property, being ready in case of power outages and being aware of likely travel disruption," he added.
