The Met Office has placed 33 areas across the UK under a yellow weather warning for wind on Tuesday, with gusts potentially exceeding 70mph in some coastal or exposed locations. The 18-hour warning comes into force at 3am and remains active until 9pm the same day, following Storm Boelo, which brought gusts of more than 80mph to the country.
The forecaster has warned of a slight risk of injury and "danger to life" from flying debris. Large waves may also carry beach debris onto sea fronts, coastal roads and nearby properties, posing a similar risk.
Strong southwesterly winds forecast
A period of strong southwesterly winds is forecast to spread across much of Scotland and fringe the north of Northern Ireland during Tuesday. While some coastal or exposed areas could see wind speeds exceeding 70mph, gusts of 50-60mph are expected more widely.
A Met Office spokesperson said: "There is still some uncertainty regarding the peak gusts, but the highest winds are expected in the far north and northwest and most likely over the Hebrides. The strongest of the winds will reduce from the southwest later on Tuesday, with the far north of Scotland the last to see winds ease."
Potential disruption and advice
The weather warning states the spell of strong winds may lead to damaging gusts and transport disruption. Tiles could be blown from roofs and flying debris could cause injuries. There is also a possibility of power cuts, which could affect other services such as mobile phone coverage.
The agency advises those in affected areas to gather torches, batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. People are urged to take precautions to protect their property, including checking for loose items outside their homes and making plans to secure them.
Brits are also advised to check road conditions before driving, as well as bus and train timetables, to minimise disruption and amend travel plans if necessary. The Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast, as conditions may change quickly.
Recent incidents and affected areas
On Sunday, a 60-year-old man was hit by a falling tree near Castle Douglas in Dumfries, Scotland, and a man in his 20s died in north London after a tree fell on his car. Two women were also taken to hospital after being struck by another falling tree in Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross.
The affected regions and local authorities include Central, Tayside & Fife (Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling); Grampian (Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray); Highlands & Eilean Siar (Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland); Northern Ireland (County Antrim, County Londonderry); Orkney & Shetland (Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands); Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire); and SW Scotland, Lothian Borders (East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian).
