Storm Boelo latest: ‘Danger to life’ warnings issued for 80mph winds after Storm Austen leaves hundreds without power

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Met Office has issued fresh “danger to life” weather warnings for parts of the UK as Storm Boelo is set to bring heavy rains and strong winds. The second named storm of the season hurtled towards the country immediately after Storm Austen unleashed havoc on Friday, leaving thousands of home without power in Cornwall and causing schools to close. On Saturday, the Met Office issued amber warnings for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England as widespread gusts up to 70mph are forecast, rising to 80mph in coastal locations. A second amber warning covers parts of Northern Ireland, and a fresh yellow rain warning for Wales and parts of England was also issued. Met Office deputy chief forecaster, Mark Sidaway, said: “There are a number of severe weather warnings issued for Storm Boelo, including an amber warning for all of mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the very far north of England. Gusts could reach up to 80mph in places. More widely gusts will still reach 50-60mph and spells of heavy rain could also lead to some impacts.” There are currently three flood warnings and 14 flood alerts are in place across England. Key Points What are the weather warnings in place this weekend? Recap of Storm Austen: A broken pier and thousands of home without power Flood warnings and alerts as heavy rain pours down Airport issues warning to passengers amid Storm Boelo Rail disruption as 80mph gales hit the UK Storm Boelo triggers emergency meeting for Scottish ministers Scottish ministers have activated the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room (SGORR) to prepare for Storm Boelo. Social Justice and Housing Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville chaired an SGORR meeting on Friday and said it will continue to “monitor the situation closely over the weekend and provide regular updates to the public”. The City of Edinburgh Council said it will be closing Princes Street Gardens, Lauriston Castle Grounds and Saughton Winter Gardens on Saturday evening because of the forecast and will reopen them on Monday once it is safe to do so. Edinburgh Castle will also be closed on Sunday, and visitors have been warned that the site may be delayed or closed on Saturday because of the weather forecast. The Paisley Halloween Festival event on Saturday – one of Scotland’s best-known Halloween events, according to organisers – has also been cancelled thanks to the severe weather forecast. The free-to-attend event was planned to take over the Paisley town centre and host a parade of more than 400 professional performers and community groups, and it included street theatre and outdoor light installations. Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 12:40 Over a dozen ferry services cancelled amid wet and windy weather Storm Boelo has also affected ferry services across the country. Fourteen of CalMac’s 30 ferry services have been cancelled, some of them until Monday. All other routes are facing disruption or last-minute cancellations because of the weather. ( Andrew Milligan/PA Wire ) Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 12:17 Rail disruption as 80mph gales hit the UK Rail lines in western and northern Scotland are set to close later as the country braces itself for Storm Boelo, which is expected to sweep in with gusts of up to 80mph. Network Rail Scotland said that services south and west of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire will stop from 9pm on Saturday while further north the Oban and Mallaig lines will close from about 10pm. On Sunday, the line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach in the Highlands will be closed from the start of service, as well as the railway between Wick and Helmsdale. Trains will also run at reduced speeds across large parts of Scotland as the storm moves through, with speed restrictions starting late on Saturday evening and continuing into the following day. ScotRail has advised people to check their journey before travelling and to consider alternative arrangements where possible. The rail operator also said people with tickets for travel on Saturday or Sunday can travel on any service on Saturday, or use their ticket once routes reopen following the storm, including on Monday. Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 12:05 Airport issues warning to passengers amid Storm Boelo Dublin Airport has warned passengers that strong winds from Storm Boelo “may lead to some disruption”. While passengers were assured that the airport is “operating as normal”, they were advised to “keep in direct contact with their airline for latest updates regarding the status of their flight”. Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 11:54 Wales flood alerts There is currently one flood warning in Wales, affecting the tidal area at Borth. There are three flood alerts, affecting: North East Wales coastline West Anglesey coastline Llyn Peninsula and Cardigan Bay coastline Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 11:38 Scotland flood warnings and alerts In Scotland, there are nine flood warnings, where “immediate action is required”. They affect: Ayr to Troon Largs Outer Wigtown Bay East Luce Bay West Luce Bay North South West Rhins Loch Ryan West Luce Bay South Dumbarton There are 10 flood alerts, signalling to “be prepared”. They affect: Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Ayrshire and Arran Central Dumfries and Galloway Dundee and Angus Edinburgh and Lothians Fife Scottish Borders Tayside West Central Scotland Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 11:06 Flood warnings and alerts in England In England, there are currently 10 flood alerts, where flooding is possible: Coastal areas of Seaford seafront North Sea coast at Bridlington River Alt, Formby to Huyton River Maun in Nottinghamshire River Sow and River Penk Somerset coast at Porlock Weir South Cornwall coast from Gribbin Head to Rame Head South Cornwall coast from Lizard Point to Gribbin Head excluding the Tidal Fal Estuary The tidal River Waveney from Ellingham to Breydon Water The tidal River Yare from Thorpe St Andrew to Breydon Water Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 11:05 Recap of Storm Austen: A broken pier and thousands of home without power Storm Austen wreaked havoc on Friday, as powerful winds of 111mph were recorded in Cornwall, leaving more than 9,000 homes without power. Gusts of 76mph were recorded at St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly, 74mph recorded in Aberporth, south Wales, and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall. Travel was disrupted as roads were closed due to fallen trees, Exeter Airport cancelled flights, and ferries to the Isles of Scilly were suspended. Several schools in Guernsey closed as a safety measure, and part of Brighton’s West Pier fell into the sea on Friday as huge sea waves crashed into the iconic landmark following powerful winds. ( Reuters ) Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 10:45 Yellow warning for rain to start at 11am Areas worst affected by downpours on Saturday will see rain accumulation of 50 to 60mm locally, the Met Office said. A yellow warning for rain will come into effect from 11am today. Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 10:15 What are the weather warnings in place this weekend? There are currently five weather warnings issued for this weekend as Storm Boelo rolls in. There are two amber warnings for wind : the first warning stretches across the whole of Scotland and northern England, from 9pm tonight until 9pm Sunday. The second amber warning affects the tip of Northern Ireland, from 9pm today until 10am tomorrow. There are two yellow warnings for wind - the first reaches the outskirts of Scotland and stretch down to Wales and Yorkshire & Humber, in place from midday today until 9pm tomorrow. The second yellow warning for wind extends to a larger part of Northern Ireland from 10am today until midday tomorrow. Finally, a yellow warning for rain impacts Wales and most of western and southern England, missing the centre and east. This will start at 11am today until 11pm tonight. ( Met Office ) Maryam Zakir-Hussain 24 October 2026 09:55 Newer 1 / 2 Older