Storm Boelo hits the UK with gusts of up to 85 mph

The key facts

Gusts of up to 85 mph were recorded in Mallaig on the west coast of Scotland and at The Needles off the Isle of Wight
Gusts of up to 85 mph were recorded at Machrihanish (western Scotland) and near The Needles on the Isle of Wight
According to National Grid as of 06:30 on Sunday, 10,860 homes remained without electricity; over 124,000 connections had been restored since the storm began
Rail and ferry services were cancelled in Scotland, with dozens of flood warnings in effect
In Scotland, rail and ferry services have been cancelled, with dozens of flood warnings in force

Storm Boelo: record gusts and widespread power outages

Storm Boelo hit the UK overnight on Sunday, bringing heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 85 mph. The strongest gusts were recorded in Mallaig on Scotland's west coast and at The Needles off the Isle of Wight, according to BBC News. This is the second named storm in a week; over the past few days, power supplies had to be restored to tens of thousands of homes. According to National Grid as of 06:30 on Sunday, 10,860 properties remained without power; on Saturday, the company reported that more than 124,000 customers had already had their electricity restored since the storm began.

Warnings and transport disruption

Amber warnings are in effect on Sunday in Scotland and northern England until 21:00 GMT and in Northern Ireland until 10:00. Yellow warnings cover most of Scotland, northern England, parts of the East and West Midlands, and North Wales until 21:00 on Sunday, and until midday for Northern Ireland. According to BBC, rail and ferry services have been cancelled in Scotland, while police are urging people to avoid unnecessary road travel. Dozens of flood warnings are in place across the country: water has closed several roads, including A78 Inverkip Road in Greenock and A77 near Lendalfoot in Ayrshire, as well as several roads in Dumfries and Galloway.

Incidents and event cancellations

As reported by BBC News, a tanker with 21 people on board, located 350 nautical miles from the Isle of Mull, sent a distress signal to the Coast Guard on Saturday afternoon due to 'large waves'. According to a representative of the Coastal & Maritime Agency, a Royal Air Force aircraft made contact with the vessel and determined that no assistance was required; the ship continued its journey. Due to the weather, events have been cancelled across the country: in Merseyside, the River of Light event was cancelled for the second consecutive day, Knowsley Safari Park closed on Sunday due to strong winds, and markets in Salford and Macclesfield were cancelled. Dublin Airport cancelled several flights, while ferry operators Stena Line, Irish Ferries, and P&O Ferries cancelled multiple crossings across the Irish Sea.

Meteorologists' warning

The Met Office warns that strong winds may cause power outages, flying debris, damage to buildings and trees, transport disruptions, and life-threatening dangers from large waves. The agency advises people to stay indoors where possible and avoid walking or taking shelter near buildings and trees. The Met Office's chief meteorologist Jason Kelly urged people to prepare for possible disruptions in transport and power supplies, secure loose outdoor items, and monitor forecasts. It is noted that the strongest gusts initially affected western Scotland and will move eastward throughout Sunday.

Why this matters

This storm follows immediately after Storm Austen, which was the first of the season and already caused a day of widespread disruptions — meaning infrastructure and residents in northern regions are facing repeated outages and cancellations within a single week. Direct consequences for the public include the risk of new power outages (over 10,000 homes without electricity on Sunday morning), cancellations of trains, ferries, and flights, as well as road closures due to flooding. The editorial team notes that precise data on total damage and casualties is not provided in the publications.