Severe weather warnings for Storm Boelo have been updated, with Amber warnings issued for Saturday night and Sunday.

Widespread gusts of 60-70mph are forecast within the warning area, with the potential for gusts of 80mph in exposed coastal locations.

The Amber warning sits within wider Yellow warnings extending further south into England and north Wales and covering the whole of Northern Ireland.

Storm Boelo follows Storm Austen, the first named storm of the season, which brought strong winds to parts of the UK on Friday. Gusts of 76mph were recorded at St Mary’s Airport in the Isles of Scilly, with 74mph at Aberporth in south Wales and 71mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.

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. Secure loose items outside, plan ahead if you are travelling and keep up to date with the latest forecast and warnings for your area.”

Prepare for travel disruption

Stormy weather can cause delays on the transport network; there are several steps you can take to help stay safe if traveling during windy weather.

RAC Mobile Mechanic of the Year Jack Halstead said: “Getting from A to B could be particularly challenging for drivers in the next few days, and with Storm Austen so quickly followed by Storm Boelo there will be no let up. This will be the first real taste of autumn and many of us will undoubtedly notice the difference on the roads. Very strong winds and heavy rain mean it’s vital to slow down and leave a far greater gap behind the vehicle in front. Where possible, drivers should avoid coastal and exposed upland routes when storms like these roll in.

“But bad weather should also act as an important reminder that if something doesn’t feel right with a vehicle, drivers mustn't risk it – they should get it checked by a trusted mobile mechanic or garage without delay. And much like households getting their boilers serviced before winter, we strongly recommend drivers keep on top of their car servicing and aren’t tempted to put it off. A properly serviced vehicle reduces the chances of a breakdown, or something more serious, particularly as the seasons change.”

Will it stay stormy next week?

Unsettled conditions are expected to continue into next week, particularly in the north, as another area of low pressure approaches the UK, bringing further wet and windy weather, with a wind warning already issued for northern parts of the UK on Tuesday.

Further ahead, there are signs of higher pressure becoming more influential towards the end of the week, which could bring a transition towards more settled conditions for parts of the UK.

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Stormy seas