TransPennine and Avanti halt non-essential travel as Storm Boelo approaches
The second named storm of the season is set to bring winds over 80mph and rain to northern Britain, prompting rail operators to advise against travel.
By Jason Kovalenko ·
Storm Boelo is heading toward the north of the UK.
The Met Office predicts the system will deliver frequent heavy showers and gusts exceeding 80 mph to Scotland and northern England. This weather system follows Storm Austen, which hit the southwest of England on Friday and is now moving east.
An amber warning, the second highest level of severity, is in place for Scotland and northern England down to Carlisle from 9 p.m. on Saturday until 9 p.m. on Sunday. A separate amber warning covers the northeast of Northern Ireland from 9 p.m. Saturday until 10 a.m. Sunday. The forecaster advised people to stay inside as much as possible due to risks from flying debris and crashing waves. A larger yellow warning for wet and windy conditions covers the entire northern UK from midday Saturday to 9 p.m. Sunday. Additional rain warnings apply to Wales and parts of western and southern England from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.
Rail networks in the north are bracing for disruption. TransPennine Express advised passengers to avoid all but essential journeys on Saturday and Sunday. Avanti West Coast strongly urged travelers not to go north of Preston on Sunday. Ferries also face widespread delays.
The Met Office warned that the power outages seen in the southwest could repeat in the northern amber warning areas. On Friday, 31,000 homes in the southwest lost electricity. As of Saturday morning, more than 3,700 homes remained without power.
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill identified the winds as the primary concern. He said the gusts would strengthen across Northern Ireland, northern England, and Scotland through the day, peaking on Saturday evening. Burkill noted that while temperatures will be slightly above the seasonal average, the combination of wind and rain will make conditions feel unpleasant. The wet weather is expected to clear overnight in many areas, though Scotland and Northern Ireland will continue to see rain.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke at a summit on the record wildfires from this summer on Friday. He warned the UK could face a winter with more flooding. Burnham rejected claims that the government is behind on civil preparedness, stating that unexpected events are becoming more common.
