Storm Boelo: warnings in place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and north of England as high winds batter UK

Strong winds have battered Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England overnight, as Storm Boelo hit the UK.

It was the second named storm in as many days, after Storm Austen brought strong winds to parts of the UK on Friday. The Met Office said wind speeds reached 60-70mph, affecting areas in the amber warning zone, which came into force at 9pm on Saturday.

The warning covered Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, with gusts reaching more than 80mph in exposed coastal spots. The island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides was hit by 82mph winds at about 4am on Sunday, according to the forecaster.

The Met Office has warned people in affected areas to secure loose items in gardens and to stay indoors, as the storm risks a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves.

The Met Office chief forecaster, Jason Kelly, said: “Storm 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.”

Several events have already been cancelled this weekend due to the inclement weather. Visit Liverpool said the River of Light event, featuring illuminated artworks, had been cancelled “in the interests of safety”, while London’s annual Diwali on the Square celebrations on Sunday were also cancelled on the advice of independent health and safety experts.

Edinburgh Castle is also closed on Sunday because of the high winds and adverse weather, while the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire has also closed for the day, after its Fountains by Floodlight event on Saturday evening was also cancelled.

There was also disruption on the railway network on Saturday night, with delays and cancellations expected to continue into Sunday.

The railway line between Preston and Blackpool North in Lancashire was blocked after heavy rain led to flooding, while in Scotland trees came down on the tracks near Dumfries.

Network Rail shared images of a trampoline beneath a train and a shed by the tracks, reminding those living near rail lines to firmly secure objects in their gardens.

Strong winds also disrupted flights, with hundreds delayed or cancelled at several UK and Ireland airports, including Dublin, Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The Environment Agency had issued 66 alerts for spots across England where flooding is possible by 7am on Sunday, as well as 10 warnings stating that flooding is expected.

Cumbria police said it had received “a number of calls overnight to localised flooding and fallen trees blocking roads” across the county, urging motorists to “drive with care” while emergency services worked to clear the obstructions.

By 7am on Sunday, the Environment Agency had issued 66 alerts for spots across England where flooding was possible, as well as 10 warnings where flooding was expected.

The amber warning sits within wider yellow wind warnings, which cover parts of England further south, as well as north Wales, and the whole of Northern Ireland.

Hundreds of homes were still without power in south-west England after Storm Austen hit the region on Friday, bringing 76mph winds to St Mary’s airport in the Isles of Scilly, with 74mph recorded at Aberporth in south Wales, and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.