Storm Boelo is set to bring 80mph wind gusts and torrential rain across parts of the UK on Saturday, October 24, just hours after Storm Austen hits southern Britain. Meteorologist Jim Dale of British Weather Services described the day as an “ugly day”, warning of severe conditions.
Storm Boelo's Path and Timing
According to weather maps, the strongest winds of up to 80mph are expected at 6pm on Saturday as Storm Boelo tracks across northern Scotland towards the Orkney Islands. Dale confirmed his data aligned with the forecast, saying: “I wouldn't say that's too far away.”
The storm follows a different route from Storm Austen, which is expected to affect Cornwall, the Channel Islands and coastal areas along southern England first. “The first low goes through the Channel, the English Channel,” Dale explained. “The second storm goes essentially towards, well, I say towards across northern Scotland.”
Rainfall and Gust Speeds
Forecast maps show heavy rain sweeping across the country as the storm moves through. A precipitation chart covering the period up to midnight on Monday, October 26, indicates substantial accumulated rainfall across parts of the UK, including Scotland and areas further south and west. The totals shown are accumulated over the forecast period, rather than rain expected to fall in a single hour.
Dale said the strongest winds from Boelo would affect areas south of the storm's centre, where westerly to south-westerly gusts could reach 80mph in exposed locations. “Those are the gust speeds, not the sustained speeds,” he stressed.
Warnings and Advice
Although the worst gusts are expected in exposed areas, the maps suggest unsettled conditions will extend well beyond Scotland, with bands of rain and strong winds affecting large parts of the UK. Dale warned that blustery conditions could persist overnight and into the first half of Sunday, saying: “This is a storm that's got legs, so you've got to be aware.” He added: “It's not a flash in the pan.”
People have been urged to take care around exposed coastlines and wooded areas, where powerful gusts could bring down trees or create dangerous conditions. “You wouldn't be walking in the forests or the woods, you wouldn't be hanging off a seawall,” Dale said. He urged the public to keep checking the latest forecasts and avoid putting themselves in danger during the worst of the weather.
Dale also said he would not be surprised if warnings for northern Scotland were upgraded to Amber as the storm approached, particularly around Wick, Thurso, Cape Wrath and the Western Isles.
