The Met Office has named its second storm of the season, with yellow weather warnings in place for 53 areas across Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland as Storm Boelo brings winds of up to 80mph on Saturday night and through Sunday.
Storm Boelo is an entirely separate low pressure system to Storm Austen, which is forecast to move into the North Sea by Friday morning. A yellow weather warning covering 47 areas across Scotland and northern England is currently in place, running from 6pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday. A further yellow weather warning has also been issued for Northern Ireland.
Winds and rain to hit northern regions
Storm Boelo will bring heavy rain to the whole of the UK on Saturday. Those living in affected areas have been urged to prepare for potentially dangerous conditions, with powerful gusts capable of sending debris flying, risking injuries and posing a "danger to life". The Met Office has also cautioned that structural damage is possible, with roof tiles at risk of being ripped from buildings as wind speeds increase.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer said: "Storm Boelo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend, impacting the opposite end of the country to Storm Austen."
"Gusts of 70-80mph in exposed coastal areas and high ground are possible, with 50-60mph gusts more widely. The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy rain, making for an impactful weekend of weather."
Travel disruption and power cuts possible
Significant travel disruption is anticipated across multiple transport networks, with road, rail, air and ferry services all susceptible to delays and cancellations. Drivers may encounter lengthier journey times, while certain roads and bridges could be shut on safety grounds.
Power cuts are also a possibility, with any disruptions to electricity supplies potentially having knock-on impacts on other services, including mobile phone networks. Along exposed coastlines, large waves and debris may be hurled onto seafronts, coastal roads and properties nearby, posing further hazards for residents and visitors. Authorities have cautioned that injuries and threats to life could occur in these locations should conditions worsen.
Full list of areas under warning
Central, Tayside & Fife: Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling.
Grampian: Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray.
Highlands & Eilean Siar: Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland.
North East England: Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland.
North West England: Blackpool, Cumbria, Lancashire.
Orkney & Shetland: Orkney Islands.
Strathclyde: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire.
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders: Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian.
Yorkshire & Humber: North Yorkshire.
Northern Ireland: County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone.
Severe weather warnings and forecast detail will continue to develop, and people are advised to keep up to date with the forecast over the next few days.
