TransPennine and Avanti Halt Travel as Storm Boelo Targets Northern Grids
The Met Office issued amber warnings for Scotland and northern England, citing gusts over 80mph and a danger to life from flying debris.
By Thabo Hoffmann ·
Commuters in northern England and Scotland are advised to stay indoors this weekend as Storm Boelo approaches. The weather system, the second named storm of the season, is forecast to bring winds exceeding 80mph and heavy rain from Saturday evening through Sunday.
The Met Office issued an amber warning, its second highest level, for the region from 9pm Saturday to 9pm Sunday. A separate amber warning covers the northeast of Northern Ireland until 10am Sunday. Forecaster Alex Burkill cited a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves. A large yellow warning for wet and windy conditions covers the entire north from midday Saturday to 9pm Sunday.
Rail operators have adjusted schedules to account for the severe conditions. TransPennine Express advised passengers to avoid all but essential journeys on Saturday and Sunday. Avanti West Coast strongly urged travelers not to head north of Preston on Sunday. Ferries are also expected to face widespread disruption.
The storm follows a similar pattern to Storm Austen, which struck the southwest of England on Friday. At one point on Friday, 31,000 homes in the southwest lost electricity. By Saturday morning, more than 3,700 homes in that region remained without power. The Met Office warned that similar outages are likely in the northern amber warning zones.
Burkill noted that while temperatures are slightly above the seasonal average, the combination of wind and rain will make conditions feel unpleasant. The winds are expected to strengthen through the day and peak in the evening. Wet weather should clear overnight in many areas, though rain will continue in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham addressed the weather at a summit on the record wildfires earlier this week. He warned that the UK could face a winter of greater flooding. He stated that the government is not playing catch-up on civil preparedness, but acknowledged that unexpected events are becoming more common.
Source: The Guardian
