At least two dozen schools across the UK will be closed on Tuesday as damaging gusts are once again forecast to hit the country, following Storm Boelo over the weekend.
A Met Office yellow warning for wind will cover all of Scotland and parts of County Antrim and County Londonderry in Northern Ireland for 18 hours on Tuesday. The forecaster warns the gusts could lead to power cuts and travel disruption, making it difficult for some pupils to attend classes. Roads and bridges could close as the strong winds hit.
Met Office warning details
The warning, in place between 3am and 9pm on Tuesday, states: "Strong west to southwesterly winds are expected to spread across much of Scotland and fringe the north of Northern Ireland during Tuesday."
It adds: "Gusts of 50-60 mph are possible quite widely and some coastal or exposed areas in the northwest and far north of Scotland could see gusts of 70 mph or more. 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 winds will reduce from the southwest later on Tuesday, with the far north of Scotland the last to see winds ease.
School closures announced
The Council of the Western Isles (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) said all Western Isles schools will be closed on Tuesday. The announcement, made this evening, reads: "All schools in the Western Isles will be closed to pupils on Tuesday, October 27, with high winds forecast at the time of the school commute."
It adds: "The decision to close schools has been taken to prioritise pupil safety, considering the timing of the highest forecast wind speed and potential coastal flooding from high tide levels."
Elsewhere in Scotland, Perth and Kinross Council said pupils at Kettins Primary School will be accommodated at Meigle Primary School tomorrow, while a further update is expected "in due course" regarding the opening of Glenlyon Primary School and Logiealmond Primary School. All other Perth and Kinross Council schools are expected to open as usual.
Aberdeenshire Council said two of its schools will be closed tomorrow: Crathes Primary, which will remain closed due to a continued loss of power, and Ellon Academy due to storm damage to the building on Sunday. Other schools and nurseries will open late, including Ballogie Nursery in Aberdeenshire. Moray Council added that Findochty Primary School Nursery will open later tomorrow due to a heating system failure.
Stirling Council said an update will be provided directly to families "as soon as possible" regarding whether Dunblane Primary School will reopen tomorrow. The school was closed today due to concerns about an unsafe roof, with structural engineers onsite today.
Full list of school closures in Scotland
- Crathes Primary, Banchory
- Ellon Academy, Ellon
- Lionel School, Isle of Lewis
- Sgoil an Taobh Siar, Isle of Lewis
- Shawbost School, Isle of Lewis
- Back School, Isle of Lewis
- Bresclete School, Isle of Lewis
- Tong School, Isle of Lewis
- Laxdale School, Isle of Lewis
- Stornoway Primary, Isle of Lewis
- Nicolson Institute, Isle of Lewis
- Sgoil nan Loch, Isle of Lewis
- Sgoil an Rubha, Isle of Lewis
- Uig School, Isle of Lewis
- Pairc School, Isle of Lewis
- Sir E Scott School, Isle of Harris
- Leverhulme School, Isle of Harris
- Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath, Isle of North Uist
- Sgoile Bhaile a Mhanaich, Isle of Benbecula
- Sgoil Lionacleit, Isle of Benbecula
- Iochdar School, Isle of South Uist
- Daliburgh School, Isle of South Uist
- Eoligarry School, Isle of Barra
- Castlebay Community School, Isle of Barra
Scores of schools were closed today as another yellow warning for wind remains in place until 3am, covering parts of Scotland, Wales and western England.
