Storm Boelo Batters UK: Flights Cancelled as 80mph Gusts Strike
Storm Boelo has hit the UK with winds of up to 80mph, cancelling flights at Dublin Airport and disrupting travel across the country.
By The Aviation Hub
5 min read
Storm Boelo has struck the UK with gusts of up to 80mph, cancelling flights at Dublin Airport (DUB) and bringing widespread travel disruption across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England on Saturday, 2 November 2024.
The storm is the second named storm of the season, arriving just a day after Storm Austen brought damaging winds to south-west England on Friday.
What Storm Boelo Is Bringing to the UK
The Met Office has issued amber warnings covering mainland Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England, where gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected widely. Exposed coastal locations face the potential for gusts of up to 80mph.
Maximum gust speeds of 75mph were already recorded at South Uist Range in the Western Isles by Saturday, according to the Standard. The amber warnings came into force at 21:00 local time on Saturday.
Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said: "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."
The Dublin Airport Disruption
Aviation has taken a direct hit from Storm Boelo. The Standard reports that by 16:00 on Saturday, nine outbound and ten inbound flights at Dublin Airport had been cancelled by airlines because of the weather.
Six inbound flights also performed go-arounds. Five of those aircraft landed successfully on the second attempt, while one diverted to another airport before returning a short time later.
A Dublin Airport spokesman warned that "winds are forecast to remain strong for the rest of the day, which may lead to further disruption." Passengers with flights through Dublin should check with their airline before travelling.
Rail and Road Disruption Across Britain
The disruption is not limited to the air. The BBC reports that National Rail has announced disruption on a number of lines, and highway authorities are urging drivers to take particular care and avoid non-essential journeys.
Network Rail shared images of a trampoline beneath a train and a shed beside the tracks, using them as a warning to those living near rail lines to secure garden furniture firmly, according to the Standard.
Power Cuts and the Legacy of Storm Austen
Storm Boelo arrives before the damage from Storm Austen has been fully repaired. The BBC reports that power outages are still affecting large parts of south-west England following Friday's storm.
The Standard notes that the National Grid said power had been restored to 131,225 properties in south-west England by 19:00 on Saturday, though hundreds of homes remained without supply. Power cuts in the Glasgow and Edinburgh areas were also being reported to SP Energy Networks on Saturday.
Events Cancelled Across the Country
The storm has forced organisers to call off a string of public events. The BBC reports that Halloween events have been cancelled in Scotland and Northern Ireland, a marathon in North Wales has been called off, and Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside will be closed on Sunday.
London's annual Diwali on the Square celebrations on Sunday were cancelled on the recommendation of independent health and safety experts, according to the Standard. Edinburgh Castle and the Fountains Abbey estate in North Yorkshire also announced closures for Sunday. Visit Liverpool confirmed that its River of Light event had been cancelled "in the interests of safety."
Rainfall and Flooding Risk
Heavy rain is compounding the storm's impact. The Standard reports that rainfall totals of 72mm were recorded in White Barrow, Wiltshire, by Saturday, along with 43mm in Cwm Dyli in North Wales and 43mm in Inveruglas on the west shore of Loch Lomond.
The Environment Agency had issued 58 flood alerts and 12 flood warnings for locations across England by 20:00 on Saturday. Met Office chief forecaster Jason Kelly said that "heavy rain will provide an additional hazard, particularly in the north, bringing the potential for further impacts."
Storm Boelo also carries a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves in amber-warned areas, and the Met Office advised people to stay indoors as much as possible.
What Comes Next
The amber warning for Scotland and northern England runs from 21:00 on Saturday to 21:00 on Sunday. The amber warning for north-east Northern Ireland is valid from 21:00 on Saturday to 10:00 on Sunday, according to the Standard.
Further unsettled weather is forecast later in the week. The Standard reports that a yellow warning for strong winds with possibly damaging gusts is already in place from 03:00 on Tuesday to midnight.
Passengers flying into or out of any UK or Irish airport this weekend should check the latest status with their airline. You can use our Airline Search to find airline contact and status information quickly.
The Bottom Line
Storm Boelo is the more disruptive of the two storms to have hit the UK this weekend, bringing amber-level wind warnings, significant flight cancellations at Dublin Airport and widespread travel chaos across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England. The amber warnings remain active through Sunday, and a further spell of strong winds is forecast for Tuesday.
Any aviation emergencies arising from Storm Boelo's conditions will be tracked on our Squawk 7700 hub, the live emergency board and incident archive. We will update our coverage if airlines or the relevant authorities release further information.
Continue to follow The Aviation Hub for more analysis and insight.
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