UK weather live: Ferries cancelled as Met Office issues new Storm Boelo wind warning

UK weather live: Ferries cancelled as Met Office issues new Storm Boelo wind warning The Met Office has issued 'danger to life' amber weather warnings for Storm Boelo, which arrives just after Storm Austen caused serious damage in the South West Storm Boelo is set to bring 80mph winds and 'widespread travel disruption' to the UK this weekend, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, power cuts and problems on the roads. One amber warning for wind, two yellow warnings for wind and a yellow warning for rain will cover different areas across the UK this weekend. It comes after Storm Austen led to airports being closed, flights cancelled and even Brighton's iconic West Pier partially collapsing. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned on Friday that the UK could face “a winter of greater flooding” and said we are living in a world where “unexpected events” are “more and more common”. An amber weather warning is in place across Scotland today, along with the north of England down to Carlisle and the north-east of Northern Ireland. It comes just a day after Storm Austen battered the South West of England, with schools closed and 31,000 homes at one point left without power yesterday. Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, said: “Yesterday’s Storm Austen affected the far south of the UK and northern France and the Channel Islands, whereas today’s Storm Boelo will be affecting the north of the UK." Key Events Ferries cancelled A yellow warning for wind is now in place all across Northern Ireland. This will be in place until noon tomorrow while parts of County Antrim and County Londonderry will be covered by an amber wind warning from 9pm today until 9pm tomorrow as part of Storm Boelo. A number of Stena Line ferries from Belfast have been cancelled today as a result of the bad weather, including one service to Liverpool and one from Liverpool to Belfast. Four ferries between Belfast and Cairnryan have also been cancelled today. A warning for passengers on the Stena Line website reads: "Important Information - We are sorry to advise that the 1115 hrs sailing on Saturday 24th October is cancelled due to adverse weather. "You can amend your booking online to an alternative sailing or route without any change fee or fare difference applied." A spokesperson for Stena Line said: "As a result of forecasted adverse weather conditions, a number of our Irish Sea sailings have been cancelled this weekend." Areas covered by yellow wind warning on Tuesday - full list There are 42 areas spanning the whole of Scotland, northern England and northeastern Northern Ireland that will be covered by Tuesday's yellow wind warning. The warning will be in place for 21 hours and will bring "damaging gusts" of 70mph or more (see previous post for more details). The 42 areas are: - Angus - Clackmannanshire - Dundee - Falkirk - Fife - Perth and Kinross - Stirling - Aberdeen - Aberdeenshire - Moray - Na h-Eileanan Siar - Highland - Durham - Gateshead - Newcastle upon Tyne - North Tyneside - Northumberland - South Tyneside - Sunderland - Cumbria - County Antrim - County Down - County Londonderry - Orkney Islands - Argyll and Bute - East Ayrshire - East Dunbartonshire - East Renfrewshire - Glasgow - Inverclyde - North Ayrshire - North Lanarkshire - Renfrewshire - South Ayrshire - South Lanarkshire - West Dunbartonshire - Dumfries and Galloway - East Lothian - Edinburgh - Midlothian Council - Scottish Borders - West Lothian People told to gather essential items as more 'damaging gusts' announced Yet another weather warning has been announced by the Met Office this morning. Strong winds will persist across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as a yellow warning for wind bringing "damaging gusts" will cover 42 areas on Tuesday between 3am and midnight. People should expect longer journey imes, public transport cancellations, damage to buildings and power cuts. The Met Office has also warned that large waves and flying debris caused by the bad weather could lead to injuries and danger to life. As a result, people have been told to ensure all loose items outside their properties are secured and to prepare in advance for power cuts by gathering torches, batteries and other essential items. The warning reads: "Strong west to southwesterly winds are expected to spread across much of Scotland, the north of Northern Ireland and northern England on Tuesday. "Gusts of 50-60 mph are possible quite widely and some coastal or exposed areas could see gusts of 70 mph or more, but at this time there is some uncertainty in where, and how strong, the peak gusts will be. "The strongest of the winds will reduce from the southwest later on Tuesday, with the far north of Scotland the last to see winds ease." Yellow warning for rain in Scotland The Met Office has issued its sixth weather warning, this time for rain and covering five areas in Scotland between 9pm today and 3pm tomorrow. The forecaster said: "Frequent heavy showers or more organised bands of rain will develop across northern Scotland during Saturday evening in association with Storm Boelo, continuing through Sunday morning and early afternoon."Accumulations of 20-40 mm are expected widely within the warning area through this period, with 60-80 mm possible in some locations, bringing flooding and travel disruption in a few places. "Showers will become less frequent later through Sunday afternoon." The five areas are Angus, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland. Wind warnings extended Two of the wind warnings, including an amber one, issued by the Met Office have now been extended to cover more areas. The amber warning for wind will now also cover Durham, Blackpool, Lancashire and North Yorkshire. The warning will still cover the whole of Scotland, coming into force across England and Scotland at 9pm today and lasting until 9pm tomorrow. County Antrim and County Londonderry in Northern Ireland are also still covered by an amber weather warning for wind but between 9pm today and 10am tomorrow. A yellow wind warning that was initially only covering England and Scotland between noon today and 9pm tomorrow has also been extended to cover the north of Wales and more areas in England. The extra areas are Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Wrexham, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. To see a full list of the areas, click here Flood warning People have been warned about surface water flooding as the Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain covering 57 areas. The forecaster said: "Heavy rain in association with Storm Boelo is expected to lead to surface water flooding in places. "Twenty five to thirty millimetres is expected widely across the warning area during this time, with a few places such as upland areas seeing 50-60mm, and some of this perhaps falling within 6 hours. "Rain will ease for a time through the evening, but this will be followed by another intense band of heavy rain following in from the west, before the whole system clears away eastward to bring a clear night with a few scattered showers following on." Read the full story here New weather warning issued The Met Office has now issued a new yellow weather warning for rain. The alert was sent out at 9.05am and will be in place from 11am today until 11pm. Around 57 areas will be covered across Wales and England. More to follow... Storm Boelo to bring 'strong winds and heavy rain' Giving an outlook for today's weather, the Met Office said: "After a bright start in some eastern areas, heavy rain and strengthening winds quickly sweeping east as Storm Boelo arrives. "Heaviest of the rain in the west and north, with gales developing for many with damaging winds possible further north." Regarding tonight, the forecaster added: "Much of the rain clears the southeast through the night with some heavy showers continuing in the north with Storm Boelo slowly tracking eastwards. Staying windy with gales further north." Three weather warnings The Met Office has urged millions of Brits to consider gathering essential items as three weather warnings are due for Storm Boelo. The Met Office has issued amber and yellow wind warnings covering Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of England. The weather front will be "invigorated by an active jet stream" before reaching the UK, according to the Met Office, and could bring gusts of at least 80mph. The first warning - a yellow warning for wind - will cover the entirety of Northern Ireland and is due to start at 10am. It's expected to last until noon tomorrow. A yellow warning for wind will then cover all of Scotland and northern England from midday today until 9pm tomorrow. An amber wind warning will also be in place for 24 hours from 9pm today, covering all of Scotland, northeastern Northern Ireland and Northumberland and Cumbria in England. Read more here Conditions 'very wet and windy' today Conditions are expected to stay “very wet and windy” across the UK on Saturday, according to forecasters, but with much of England and Wales able to look forward to a brighter and sunnier picture on Sunday. PM warns of 'winter of great flooding' The Prime Minister warned on Friday that the UK could face “a winter of greater flooding” and said we are living in a world where “unexpected events” are “more and more common”. Andy Burnham denied the suggestion that the Government is playing catch-up with civil preparedness as he attended a summit organised to learn from the summer’s record wildfires. He said: “We are having that conversation about resilience. That’s why we’re holding this summit today, it’s why we’re putting the guidance out to the public. “We potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding, so it’s about recognising all of those risks and taking action.” RNLI issues urgent warning ahead of Storm Boelo RNLI regional water safety lead, Michael Avril, said: “Storm Austen and Storm Boelo are set to bring potentially dangerous conditions so we’re asking the public to stay vigilant and not take unnecessary risks by travelling to coastal locations. “If you are near to the coast or a waterside location, we urge you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. “If you find yourself in trouble in the water, remember to Float to Live: Lie back in the water with your head so far back that your ears are wet, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing before then calling for help or swimming to safety. “If you see someone else in danger – do not enter the water yourself as you could also end up in serious difficulty. “Instead, remember phone, float, throw – phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard; tell the struggling person to float; throw them something buoyant, like a life ring.” More rail disruption expected across Scotland 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. Forecasters have issued an amber warning for much of Scotland on Saturday evening into Sunday as the storm hits, the day after Storm Austen which brought heavy rain to many areas on Friday. Planes cancelled and historic pier collapses as Storm Austen batters South West Those living in the South West of England will be hoping Storm Boelo will not cause as much damage and disruption as Storm Austen. At one stage, 31,000 homes were without power, planes had been cancelled and part of the historic West Pier in Brighton collapsed into the sea. Storm Boelo to batter UK's north Tom Morgan, a Met Office meteorologist, said: “Yesterday’s Storm Austen affected the far south of the UK and northern France and the Channel Islands, whereas today’s Storm Boelo will be affecting the north of the UK. “We have an amber wind warning in place across Scotland later today and through tonight and into the end of Sunday. “With the strong winds, potentially gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour locally, there will be some widespread travel disruption across Scotland, possibly northern parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England as well through the next 24 to 36 hours. “I’m expecting delays to ferry services, if not cancellations, perhaps some quite widespread impacts to travel on the railways and on the roads as well.” Beach fight breaks out after family 'ignores red flag warnings' A passer-by allegedly attempted to alert a young family about the perils of entering the water at a 'red-flagged' beach in Cornwall as Storm Austen continues to wreak havoc across the UK. A couple accompanied by their two small children were shockingly recorded playing on Polzeath beach wearing wetsuits and carrying bodyboards. You can read more here. Storm Austen begins to ease as Storm Boelo moves in next Storm Austen is beginning to come to an end across the UK after bringing strong winds, travel disruption and power cuts through Friday. Some warnings remain in place into the night, but attention is now turning to Storm Boelo, which is set to bring another spell of wet and windy weather over the weekend. The first Boelo warning comes into force across Northern Ireland at 10am on Saturday, with further yellow and amber wind warnings covering Scotland and parts of northern England later in the day. The Met Office says gusts could reach 70-80mph in exposed coastal areas, with travel disruption, power cuts and dangerous conditions possible. Storm Boelo is expected to remain a threat through Sunday, with warnings currently stretching into the evening. What does an amber weather warning actually mean? The Met Office says an amber warning means there is an increased likelihood of severe weather causing disruption. Possible impacts can include travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and a risk to life and property. Forecasters say people should consider changing plans that could be affected by the weather and take steps to protect themselves and their property. The warning colour is based on both the expected impact of the weather and how likely those impacts are to happen. Woman airlifted to hospital after sea rescue during Storm Austen A woman has been rescued from rough seas in Devon as Storm Austen continues to batter the coast. Devon Live reports concerns were raised after a woman entered the water at Cryton's Cove, Dawlish, at around 3pm. HM Coastguard said it received reports of a woman in difficulty in the water at about 3.10pm and launched a rescue operation. A Coastguard helicopter rescued her from the sea before airlifting her for transfer to hospital. Dawlish Coastguard Rescue Team also attended alongside RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth and Teignmouth. Met Office warns Storm Boelo will bring wet and windy weather on Saturday The Met Office says Storm Boelo will bring wet and windy conditions across the UK on Saturday. In an update on X, forecasters shared a weather map showing the storm moving in and warned conditions will turn increasingly unsettled as Boelo arrives. Fight breaks out on beach as family enters sea during Storm Austen A fight reportedly broke out on a Cornish beach after a passerby tried to warn a family about entering the sea during Storm Austen. The family, including two young children, were seen heading into the water at Polzeath beach while a red flag was flying and strong winds battered the coast. A witness told Cornwall Live the father confronted and punched a man who appeared to be warning the family about the conditions. The witness said RNLI lifeguards arrived shortly afterwards and asked the family to leave the beach. Storm Austen has brought severe winds to Cornwall, with gusts of up to 80mph possible in exposed coastal areas. Storm Austen causes more rail disruption across Wales Storm Austen continues to cause delays and cancellations across Wales. Transport for Wales says a fallen tree is disrupting services between Llanhilleth and Newbridge until 9pm, while a signalling issue is affecting trains between Wrexham General and Bidston. Services to Fishguard Harbour, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock are also cancelled, with some disruption expected to continue through the weekend. Guernsey Airport cancels all remaining flights tonight Guernsey Airport has cancelled all of its remaining inbound and outbound flights this evening due to Storm Austen. Passengers due to travel through the airport over the weekend are being advised to check with their airline for the latest flight information. The airport said it remains open for some aircraft being repositioned from the UK ahead of services resuming on Saturday morning. Weather warnings remain in place into the weekend A number of Met Office weather warnings remain in force across the UK as unsettled conditions continue. For the rest of Friday, a yellow rain warning covers parts of northern England and Scotland until 11.59pm, while a yellow wind warning remains in place across parts of England and Wales until 9pm. The Met Office warns power cuts are possible, some roads may close and there could be damage to buildings, while large waves and beach debris could also pose a danger to life. On Saturday, a yellow wind warning will come into force across northern England and all of Scotland from midday and remain in place until 9pm on Sunday. Within that area, an amber wind warning will run from 9pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday and also covers part of Northern Ireland. The Met Office says there is a danger to life, with power cuts possible and driving conditions potentially hazardous. A separate yellow wind warning will also cover Northern Ireland from 10am on Saturday until midday on Sunday. Thorpe Park closes for rest of day due to severe weather Thorpe Park has closed for the remainder of the day due to the severe weather caused by Storm Austen. The attraction said the decision was taken with the safety of guests and employees as its “highest priority”. It apologised for any disappointment or inconvenience and said visitors should check its return guarantee information for details on rebooking their visit. Avanti issues travel warning ahead of Storm Boelo Avanti West Coast has issued travel advice ahead of Storm Boelo, warning passengers of possible disruption across Scotland and northern England this weekend. The operator said passengers should check before travelling on all routes on Saturday, October 24. For Sunday, October 25, Avanti said it “strongly recommends” avoiding travel north of Preston if possible. Storm disrupts waste and recycling collections across Cornwall Storm Austen has prevented waste and recycling crews from reaching 91 properties across parts of Cornwall. Affected areas include Hayle, St Ives, Perranarworthal, Mylor, Carnmenellis, Two Waters Foot, Ley, Upton Cross and Tremar. Cornwall Council said crews will return on Saturday and resume collections from 7am. Flights circle and divert as strong winds hit Manchester Airport Flights attempting to land at Manchester Airport have been forced to circle or divert as strong winds cause delays to arrivals and departures. The Manchester Evening News reports that at around 2pm, roughly 10 aircraft were waiting to take off, with several others waiting to land. An EgyptAir flight from Cairo to Manchester was diverted to London Gatwick after making multiple loops near the airport and attempting to land. Passengers are facing further disruption as strong winds continue to affect operations. 31,000 homes without power as Storm Austen hits South West More than 31,000 homes were without power across the South West as of 3pm as Storm Austen continued to cause widespread disruption. National Grid said engineers had already restored power to more than 52,000 properties since the storm began. Strong winds have also brought down trees, disrupted rail services and forced flight cancellations, while parts of Brighton’s historic West Pier collapsed into the sea. National Grid said engineers remain out across affected areas working to repair damage and restore supplies as quickly and safely as possible. Can schools, attractions and events close because of a yellow warning? A yellow weather warning does not automatically mean schools, attractions or events must close. The Met Office says yellow warnings can still cause disruption, while the Department for Education says schools decide locally whether it is safe to open during severe weather. Event organisers and attractions can also cancel or close if conditions such as strong winds, flooding or unsafe travel create a safety risk.