Storm Boelo batters Britain with 85mph winds as amber warnings issued

Storm Boelo has unleashed its most severe conditions across Britain, with gusts of up to 85mph leaving thousands of people waking to properties damaged overnight.

Winds of between 60mph and 70mph were recorded across the warning area, including Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and northern England.

The Met Office said exposed coastal areas experienced even stronger gusts of more than 80mph.

Boelo is the second named storm of the season, following Storm Austen, which brought powerful winds to parts of the UK on Friday.

Images from the aftermath show piles of bricks outside homes, shattered windows and damaged signs as blustery weather swept through communities.

Persistent heavy rain from 8am on Saturday produced totals of 72mm at White Barrow in Wiltshire. Cwm Dyli, just south of the Snowdon range in North Wales, and Inveruglas on the western shore of Loch Lomond in Scotland, each recorded 43mm.

Hundreds of properties in south-west England remained without electricity after Austen struck the area on Friday. National Grid said power had been restored to 131,225 homes by 7pm on Saturday.

An amber wind warning, the Met Office’s second-highest alert level, is in force across Scotland and northern England as far south as Carlisle from 9pm on Saturday until the same time on Sunday.

A separate amber warning covers north-east Northern Ireland from 9pm on Saturday until 10am on Sunday.

Damage done by the tornado to Kevin Saunders back garden in Porchester, Hampshire is seen here on Sunday

Storm damage caused by a tornado can be seen in Kevin Saunders’ back garden in Porchester, Hampshire, on Sunday

Outdoor furniture was completely wrecked in Kevin Saunders' back garden in Porchester, Hampshire

Outdoor furniture was left completely destroyed in Kevin Saunders’ back garden in Porchester, Hampshire

Sandbags can be seen outside shop doorways in Largs after Storm Boelo passed through the area

Sandbags line shop entrances in Largs after Storm Boelo moved through the area

The Met Office warned of a danger to life from flying debris and powerful waves, urging people to remain indoors wherever possible.

Concerned residents have also taken to social media to describe their experiences of the storm.

One person wrote on X: ‘I don’t think people understand the depth and size of Storm Boelo.

‘It was so big it could be seen from space. That’s not normal for the UK.’

Another posted: ‘Oh my goodness what a horrible night! Hope sleep comes easy, the house is getting battered by rain and wind. Stay vigilant people.’

A third user said: ‘How is this not a red weather warning? It’s brutal, never heard winds like this before, throw in thunder lightning, power cut.’

The amber alerts are part of wider yellow wind warnings stretching south into parts of England and North Wales, while also covering the whole of Northern Ireland.

The storm arrives as British Summer Time ends today, with clocks moving back by one hour.

The Environment Agency had issued 66 alerts for spots across England where flooding is possible by 7am on Sunday, as well as ten warnings stating that flooding is expected.

Waves crash over the promenade due to the affects of storm Boelo on Sunday in Largs, Scotland

Waves crash over the promenade due to the affects of storm Boelo on Sunday in Largs, Scotland

Large waves are seen in Gourock, Inverclyde, after Storm Boelo passed through the area on Sunday

Large waves are seen in Gourock, Inverclyde, after Storm Boelo passed through the area on Sunday

A tree crashed through a fence onto parked cars on Balmoral Terrace in Stockton, Teesside. It is pictured here on Sunday

A tree crashed through a fence onto parked cars on Balmoral Terrace in Stockton, Teesside. It is pictured here on Sunday

A dog is seen walking in blustery condition on Wimbledon Common, southeast London, on Sunday

A dog is seen walking in blustery condition on Wimbledon Common, southeast London, on Sunday

Flood water on the A8 in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, on Sunday. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said 32 flood warnings and 11 flooding alerts were active as of 7am

Flood water on the A8 in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, on Sunday. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said 32 flood warnings and 11 flooding alerts were active as of 7am

A police road closure on the A78 near Skelmorlie is seen on Sunday after Storm Boelo passed through the area

A police road closure on the A78 near Skelmorlie is seen on Sunday after Storm Boelo passed through the area

Blown over temporary traffic lights are pictured here in Skelmorlie on Sunday after Storm Boelo battered the area overnight

Blown over temporary traffic lights are pictured here in Skelmorlie on Sunday after Storm Boelo battered the area overnight

The A82 was blocked at Dumbuck Quarry on Sunday due to flooding caused by storm Boelo on Sunday in Dumbarton, Scotland

The A82 was blocked at Dumbuck Quarry on Sunday due to flooding caused by storm Boelo on Sunday in Dumbarton, Scotland

Cumbria Police said on Sunday it had received 'a number of calls overnight to localised flooding and fallen trees blocking roads' right across the county

Cumbria Police said on Sunday it had received ‘a number of calls overnight to localised flooding and fallen trees blocking roads’ right across the county

The Police Service of Northern Ireland, on Sunday, warned fallen trees had blocked roads across the country and advised drivers to 'take extra caution'. The fallen tree in Stockton, Teesside, is seen here

The Police Service of Northern Ireland, on Sunday, warned fallen trees had blocked roads across the country and advised drivers to ‘take extra caution’. The fallen tree in Stockton, Teesside, is seen here

Waves crash over the promenade due to the affects of storm Boelo on October 25, 2026 in Largs

Waves crash over the promenade due to the affects of storm Boelo on October 25, 2026 in Largs

Cumbria Police said it had received ‘a number of calls overnight to localised flooding and fallen trees blocking roads’ right across the county, adding emergency services were working to clear the blockages but urged drivers to ‘drive with care’.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said 32 flood warnings and 11 flooding alerts were active as of 7am.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland, on Sunday, warned fallen trees had blocked roads across the country and advised drivers to ‘take extra caution’.

It said in a statement: ‘We would particularly draw your attention to closures on the Ballyrobin Road – both lanes currently impassable just after the junction with Seven Mile Straight – which may affect journeys to Belfast International Airport; and on the Glenshane Road, around half a mile from Castledawson roundabout, Derry bound.’

Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: ‘Boelo will be felt across the UK this weekend, with the strongest winds and greatest potential for disruption in the north.

‘Amber warnings are in place across mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, where gusts of 60-70mph are expected widely, with the potential for 80mph in exposed coastal locations.

‘Strong winds will also affect other parts of the UK, with gusts of 50-60mph possible in places. Heavy rain will provide an additional hazard, particularly in the north, bringing the potential for further impacts.

‘People should prepare for the potential for disruption, particularly to travel and power supplies.’

A motorist drives through a large puddle in Liverpool on Saturday - Storm Boelo has now arrived

A motorist drives through a large puddle in Liverpool on Saturday – Storm Boelo has now arrived

People in the rain on Millennium Bridge, London, on Saturday. Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen

People in the rain on Millennium Bridge, London, on Saturday. Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen

People walk through the rain on Westminster Bridge, London, on Saturday as Storm Boelo battered Britain

People walk through the rain on Westminster Bridge, London, on Saturday as Storm Boelo battered Britain

Strong winds disrupted flights at Dublin Airport, where as of 4pm on Saturday nine outbound and 10 inbound flights had been cancelled by airlines because of weather issues.

Flights from Belfast City Airport departing for Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester and Kirkwall on Sunday morning were cancelled. 

Network Rail shared images of a trampoline beneath a train and a shed by the tracks, in a call for those living near rail lines to secure their garden furniture firmly.

Visit Liverpool announced the region’s River of Light event, featuring illuminated artworks, had been cancelled ‘in the interests of safety’.

London’s annual Diwali on the Square celebrations this Sunday were cancelled on independent health and safety experts’ recommendations in light of the storm.

Events and attractions announced closures for Sunday including Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire, which was due to host its Fountains by Floodlight event on Sunday.

Intemperate weather will return later in the week with a yellow warning for strong winds with possibly damaging gusts running from 3am on Tuesday to midnight.

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