Storm Boelo: 80mph gusts and rail halts strike northern Britain

Storm Boelo is set to bring its strongest winds to northern Britain on Saturday evening, with gusts forecast to exceed 80mph. The second named storm of the season follows immediately after Storm Austen, which hit the south-west of England on Friday and is now moving east.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for Scotland and the north of England down to Carlisle. This warning is in force from 9pm on Saturday until the same time on Sunday. A separate amber warning covers the north-east of Northern Ireland from 9pm Saturday to 10am Sunday. The agency has urged the public to stay indoors due to the risk of flying debris and crashing waves.

Rail operators have moved to limit movement during the peak of the storm. TransPennine Express has advised passengers against all but essential journeys on Saturday and Sunday. Avanti West Coast has strongly urged travelers not to go north of Preston on Sunday. Ferries across the region also face widespread disruption.

Meteorologist Alex Burkill identified the wind as the primary hazard. He stated that strong gusty winds would affect Northern Ireland, northern England, and Scotland throughout the day, strengthening toward evening. Although temperatures will be slightly above the seasonal average, the combination of wind and rain will make conditions feel unpleasant, marking a sharp departure from the drier autumn weather seen earlier in the season.

The storm carries the risk of significant power outages. The Met Office noted that the cuts seen in the south-west during Storm Austen could be repeated in the amber warning areas. At one point on Friday, 31,000 homes in the south-west were without electricity. By Saturday morning, more than 3,700 of those homes remained in the dark according to the National Grid.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the recent weather extremes at a summit on the summer's record wildfires on Friday. He warned that the UK could face a winter of greater flooding. While denying that the government was playing catch-up on civil preparedness, Burnham said the country is living in a world where unexpected events are becoming more common. The UK experienced its hottest summer on record this year, which included five heatwaves and a record 40 days above 30C.