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Storm Boelo has swept across the UK with 85mph winds causing travel chaos and battering communities with winds of up to 85mph.
The country has barely recovered from Storm Austen, as powerful winds of 111mph were recorded in Cornwall on Friday, leaving more than 9,000 homes without power.
Gusts of 76mph were recorded at St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly, 74mph recorded in Aberporth, south Wales, and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall. Travel was disrupted as roads were closed due to fallen trees, Exeter Airport cancelled flights, and ferries to the Isles of Scilly were suspended.
Now, Britons are being battered by Storm Boelo as more heavy rain and strong winds whipped across the country on Saturday into Sunday, with hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed and train and ferry services halted.
The Met Office has issued amber warnings for Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England as widespread gusts up to 70mph are forecast, which could rise to 80mph in coastal locations, from 9pm tonight until 9pm Sunday.
A second amber warning affects the tip of Northern Ireland, from 9pm Saturday until 10am Sunday. Power cuts, damage to buildings, road closures and transport delays are all possible. Gusts of wind reaching 75mph along with blustery heavy showers are expected.
There are two yellow warnings for wind. The first reaches the outskirts of Scotland and stretch down to Wales and Yorkshire & Humber, in place from midday today until 9pm tomorrow. The second extends to a larger part of Northern Ireland from 10am today until midday tomorrow.
Finally, a yellow warning for rain impacts Wales and most of western and southern England, missing the centre and east. This will start at 11am today until 11pm tonight.
Mark Sidaway, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, said: “There are a number of severe weather warnings issued for Storm Boelo, including an Amber warning for all of mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the very far north of England. Gusts could reach up to 80mph in places. More widely gusts will still reach 50-60mph and spells of heavy rain could also lead to some impacts.
“People should prepare by securing loose items outside their property, being ready in case of power outages and being aware of likely travel disruption.”
UK weather forecast
Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:
Sunny spells and showers dominate through Sunday, with heavier showers and very strong winds in the north. Rain spreads across the UK on Monday, with milder conditions in the south.