The UK is preparing for a second named storm in as many days, with winds of up to 80mph and torrential rain threatening widespread travel disruption and power outages.
An amber weather warning has been issued for Scotland, northern England as far south as Carlisle, and the north-east of Northern Ireland.
Storm Boelo, the season’s second named storm, arrives after Storm Austen swept across Cornwall and other parts of south-west England on Saturday.
More than 60,000 properties lost electricity, schools closed and part of Brighton’s famous West Pier was destroyed during the storm.
Video captured one side of the landmark collapsing into the sea beneath pounding waves. The pier opened in 1866 and drew as many as two million visitors annually during its heyday.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: ‘Storm Austen yesterday affected the far south of the UK, northern France and the Channel Islands, while today’s Storm Boelo will bring its strongest impacts to northern parts of the UK.
‘An amber wind warning is in force across Scotland from later today, continuing overnight and through to the end of Sunday.
‘Gusts could locally exceed 80 miles per hour, bringing widespread travel disruption across Scotland, with possible impacts in northern Northern Ireland and the far north of England over the next 24 to 36 hours.
Waves surge over the lighthouse at Newhaven Harbour as Storm Austen hits
Umbrellas shield pedestrians from heavy rain during stormy conditions in London
A Wimbledon house stands in silhouette beneath a vivid orange-and-red autumn sunrise following Storm Austen
Large waves batter Brighton’s historic West Pier as one side of the structure collapses into the water
‘Ferry services are likely to face delays and potentially cancellations, while rail and road networks could also experience significant disruption.’
The forecast remains ‘very wet and windy’ across much of the UK today, although conditions should become brighter and sunnier across large parts of England and Wales on Sunday.
Mr Morgan said the rain was nevertheless badly needed, especially in southern England, which bore the brunt of a ‘severe drought’ during the summer.
The Prime Minister warned on Friday that the country could be heading for ‘a winter of greater flooding’, adding that ‘unexpected events’ are becoming ‘more and more common’.
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Andy Burnham rejected claims that the Government was scrambling to catch up on civil preparedness as he attended a summit focused on lessons from the summer’s record-breaking wildfires.
He said: ‘We are having that conversation about resilience. That is why we are holding this summit today and why we are issuing guidance to the public.
‘We may be facing a winter of greater flooding, so it is about recognising all the risks and taking action.’
An amber warning covers Scotland, northern England as far south as Carlisle and the north-east of Northern Ireland
A damaged car after a tree was brought down by a heavy gust of wind in Richmond, west London
Road closure caused by fallen trees on the A39 between Falmouth and Truro in Cornwall on Friday
Two people walking in the rain along Victoria Embankment in London
The predictions of strong winds in Scotland have led to some rail lines being closed.
Network Rail has announced that services south and west of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire will stop from 9pm on Saturday.
Meanwhile, further north the Oban and Mallaig lines will close from about 10pm tonight.
Craig Gorman, head of operational weather strategy at Network Rail Scotland, said: ‘We know closing lines and slowing trains will have a significant impact on people’s plans this weekend, and these aren’t decisions we take lightly.
‘But when we’re facing weather of this scale, we have to put safety first and make sensible calls before conditions deteriorate.’
Amy Webb, chief operating officer at National Grid Electricity Distribution, added: ‘We know how difficult it is to be without power, particularly during severe weather.
‘Our engineers are out across the affected areas, working to repair the damage and get customers back on supply as quickly and safely as possible. We’re grateful for their patience while that work continues.
‘If you see a fallen power line, damaged pole or other damage to our equipment, please stay well clear and call 105 straight away.’
