Storm Boelo is battering the UK with heavy rain and gale-force winds, just one day after Storm Austen caused widespread disruption. The storm is expected to clear to the northeast of the country during Sunday, but weather warnings remain in place until 9pm, and forecasters warn more unsettled conditions are on the way.
Storm Boelo's Path and Expected Peak
Storm Boelo is the second named storm of the season to hit this week, following Storm Austen, which cleared to the east of England on Friday evening. Thousands of households in the south west were left without power, and several areas faced severe flooding as a result of the two storms arriving in quick succession.
Forecasters have warned that "damaging gusts" of up to 80mph are likely across the north of the UK, while rain is expected to affect most areas. The worst of the wet weather is expected during Saturday afternoon, with rain starting to clear from some places by the evening. Met Office weather maps suggest a band of heavy rain will move eastwards, clearing to the south during Saturday night.
Wind and Rain Warnings in Place
An amber warning for wind covers much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and parts of the north of England. Chief forecaster for the Met Office Jason Kelly said: "Storm Boelo will be felt across the UK this weekend, with the strongest winds and greatest potential for disruption in the north. Amber warnings are in place across mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, where gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected widely, with the potential for 80mph in exposed coastal locations.
"Strong winds will also affect other parts of the UK, with gusts of 50 to 60mph possible in places. Heavy rain will provide an additional hazard, particularly in the north, bringing the potential for further impacts. People should prepare for the potential for disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies. Secure loose items outside, plan ahead if you are travelling and keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings for your area."
For comparison, Storm Austen on Friday saw gusts of 76mph recorded at St Mary's Airport in the Isles of Scilly, 74mph at Aberporth in south Wales and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall. Winds associated with Storm Boelo are likely to be even stronger.
Flood Alerts and Travel Disruption
The Environment Agency has issued 22 alerts for spots across England where flooding is possible, as well as a warning that flooding is expected at New Brighton, Merseyside, because of high tides in the Irish Sea. Widespread travel disruption is expected for ferries and trains, with TransPennine Express warning against all but essential train journeys on Saturday and Sunday, and Avanti West Coast strongly advising users not to travel north of Preston on Sunday.
When Will Storm Boelo End?
Storm Boelo weather warnings will remain in place until Sunday. A yellow rain warning will end at 3pm, while the amber warning for wind will remain in place until 9pm. Some patches of heavy rain will remain in the north throughout Saturday night, while much of England will remain dry. The storm is then expected to clear to the northeast of the UK during Sunday, with patches of rain remaining during Sunday afternoon and evening. Wind gusts will likely peak during Sunday morning, with the highest speeds in the northwest of Scotland.
However, respite from the storm will likely be short-lived. The Met Office has warned that unsettled conditions are expected to continue into next week, particularly in the north, as another area of low pressure approaches the UK. Rain is set to return at the start of the week, with a large band of rain sweeping in from the south on Monday morning. The Met Office has also issued a wind warning for northern parts of the UK on Tuesday. Further ahead, there are signs of higher pressure becoming more influential towards the end of the week, which could bring a transition towards more settled conditions for parts of the UK.
