Storm Boelo peaks with 80mph gusts, closing major UK sites

Storm Boelo reached its peak intensity on Saturday night, bringing gusts of up to 80 miles per hour to exposed coastal areas in the north of the United Kingdom. The Met Office issued amber weather warnings, the second highest level of alert, for mainland Scotland and northern England down to Carlisle. These warnings remained active from 9:00 pm on Saturday until 9:00 pm on Sunday. A separate amber warning covered the northeast of Northern Ireland until 10:00 am on Sunday.

Forecasts indicated that widespread gusts between 60 and 70 miles per hour would affect the warning zones. Before the amber warnings took full effect, strong winds were already recorded in Scotland. Maximum gust speeds of 75 miles per hour were measured at the South Uist Range in the Western Isles. Similar readings were reported in the Highland and Eilean Siar regions. Yellow wind warnings extended further south into parts of England and North Wales, covering the entirety of Northern Ireland.

The storm marks the second named system of the season. It follows Storm Austen, which hit the country on Friday. During that earlier event, gusts of 76 miles per hour were recorded at St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly. Winds also reached 74 miles per hour at Aberporth in south-west Wales and 71 miles per hour at Culdrose in Cornwall. Hundreds of homes in the southwest remained without power after Storm Austen. The National Grid reported that power had been restored to over 131,000 properties by 7:00 pm on Saturday.

Heavy rainfall accompanied the wind. Since 8:00 am on Saturday, White Barrow in Wiltshire recorded 72 millimeters of rain. Cwm Dyli in North Wales and Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond in Scotland both recorded 43 millimeters. The Environment Agency issued 58 alerts for areas across England where flooding was possible by 8:00 pm on Saturday. The agency also issued 12 warnings indicating that flooding was expected in specific locations.

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly stated that the storm would be felt across the UK, with the strongest winds occurring in the north. He advised the public to stay indoors to avoid flying debris and crashing waves. Kelly urged residents to secure loose items outside and plan ahead for travel. He also recommended monitoring the latest forecasts for updates.

Transport and leisure sectors faced immediate disruptions. At Dublin airport, weather issues led airlines to cancel nine outbound and ten inbound flights as of 4:00 pm on Saturday. Six inbound flights performed go-arounds. Five of these landed on the second attempt, while one diverted to another airport before returning. Network Rail shared images of a trampoline and a shed near the tracks, prompting a call for residents to secure garden furniture firmly.

Several public events were cancelled for safety reasons. Visit Liverpool announced that the region’s River of Light event had been cancelled. In London, the annual Diwali on the Square celebrations scheduled for Sunday were also called off following recommendations from independent health and safety experts. Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire closed on Sunday. Fountains Abbey had planned to host its Fountains by Floodlight event that day.