Storm Boelo is set to batter Scotland with winds of up to 80mph this weekend, prompting an amber warning for much of the country and urgent travel advice from authorities.
The Met Office has issued the warning, which will be in place from 9pm on Saturday, October 24, until 9pm on Sunday, October 25. A yellow wind warning will also cover mainland Scotland, the Western Isles and Orkney throughout Sunday.
Travel Disruption Expected
Drivers have been urged to check conditions before setting off, with longer journey times, cancellations and restrictions on exposed routes all possible. Fallen trees, debris on roads and localised power cuts are also among the potential impacts.
Transport Scotland has warned that road, rail, ferry and air services could all be affected by the severe weather, with travellers urged to plan ahead and check for updates before setting off.
Official Warnings
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said: "The Met Office has upgraded its warning for Storm Boelo with disruptive winds and heavy rain expected to impact most of Scotland this weekend.
"While the most severe conditions are expected within the amber warning area in the west of Scotland, a yellow warning remains in force across the whole country and travellers everywhere should be prepared for potential disruption.
The strong winds may lead to restrictions on some bridges and exposed routes, as well as impacts across ferry, rail and air services. Anyone planning to travel should check conditions before setting out and allow extra time for their journey.
Other modes of transport are also likely to be affected, so if you are planning to travel by train, ferry or air, please check with your operator to make sure your service is still running."
Police Scotland has also warned motorists of hazardous driving conditions, with officers advising people to consider whether their journeys are necessary during the worst of the weather.
Superintendent Andy Barclay, Deputy Head of Road Policing for Police Scotland, said: "The Amber warning for wind means there is a high risk of disruption on the road network and travel conditions may be hazardous.
Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary or if it can be delayed until conditions improve. Stopping distances can be at least double on wet roads compared to dry conditions, and spray can reduce driver visibility.
HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police."
He added: "If you need to travel, please drive to the conditions and allow extra time for your journey. Stay tuned to media outlets for further updates and consult the Traffic Scotland website and social media channels for information relating to affected roads."
Flood Risk Remains
The warning comes as Scotland faces a particularly wet and windy weekend, with Storm Austen also expected to bring heavy rain and increase the risk of flooding in several areas.
Pascal Lardet, SEPA's Flood Duty Manager, said: "It's going to be a particularly wet and windy period over Friday and the weekend across Scotland as two named storms, Storm Austen and Storm Boelo, sweep their way across the UK and bring disruption.
Sustained heavy and prolonged rain throughout Friday will lead to high river levels and possible flooding impacts quite widely across southern, central and eastern areas. This could also cause surface water flooding on roads and around properties, difficult driving conditions and disruption to travel."
He also warned that further heavy rain on Saturday could bring localised flooding to western and central Scotland, including roads, land and properties. Coastal flooding is also possible in western areas as large waves and rising tides increase the risk to low-lying roads, particularly around the Firth of Clyde.
The risk is expected to remain elevated throughout the weekend and into next week, with people urged to keep up to date with the latest flood information.
Mr Lardet added: "The flood risk will remain elevated across this weekend and into next week, so we are urging people to remain vigilant and stay up to date with the latest information by checking our flooding page and staying up to date on SEPA's website and Social Media channels."
Transport Scotland's Resilience Room and Multi Agency Response Team will be activated during the warning to monitor conditions and coordinate responses across the transport network. People planning to travel are advised to check the latest forecast, monitor the Traffic Scotland website and follow updates from their transport operator before leaving home.
