Amber warning for Storm Boelo: West Cumbria braces for 80mph gusts from Saturday night Storm Boelo amber wind warning for West Cumbria from Saturday night as Storm Austen moves away
Marra Mode is how we'd tell you this in the Co-op. Switch it off for the straight version.
It's gone amber. Storm Boelo hits hardest from 9pm Saturday to 9pm Sunday, with gusts of 60 to 70mph and up to 80 on the coast. Get the bins and trampolines tied down before Saturday dinner time.
This one's for everybody in West Cumbria this weekend, and especially anyone living near the coast or out on the roads.
There are two named storms knocking about. Storm Austen was the first one. It battered the south-west and Wales overnight with gusts up to 76mph, but its warnings never covered Cumbria, and it's heading off over to the Low Countries now. The wind and rain we've had today come ahead of number two, Storm Boelo.
Boelo is the one to watch. On Friday morning the Met Office bumped it up to an amber wind warning for Cumbria, from 9pm Saturday right through to 9pm Sunday, and the BBC says that takes in Whitehaven. Expect gusts of 60 to 70mph pretty widely, up to 80 on exposed bits of coast, with heavy rain and showers on top. There's a yellow warning for the whole county from midday Saturday as well.
The Met Office reckons power cuts are likely, roofs and trees could get damaged, and some roads and bridges might shut. Trains and ferries could be hit too. Flying debris is dangerous, and big waves could chuck stones and sea onto the prom and the coast road.
The Met Office's Mark Sidaway said: "People should prepare by securing loose items outside their property, being ready in case of power outages and being aware of likely travel disruption."
National Highways has called off this weekend's A66 roadworks near Penrith because of the forecast. At dinner time Friday there were no flood warnings out for Cumbria. And don't forget the clocks go back at 2am Sunday.
What you can do: tie down the bins, garden furniture and the trampoline on Saturday, charge your phones and have a torch ready. Give the sea front a wide berth Saturday night and Sunday, and check your train or ferry before you set off. If the power goes, ring 105.
The Met Office has upgraded its Storm Boelo warning for Cumbria to amber, from 9pm on Saturday to 9pm on Sunday, with gusts of 60 to 70mph and up to 80mph on exposed coasts. A wider yellow warning starts at midday on Saturday.
This is for everyone in West Cumbria this weekend, especially people living, driving or walking near the coast.
Two named storms are crossing the UK. Storm Austen, the first of the season, brought gusts of up to 76mph to south-west England and Wales overnight. Its warnings did not include Cumbria, and the Met Office says it is now moving into the Low Countries. Today's wind and rain here come ahead of the second storm, Storm Boelo.
On Friday morning the Met Office upgraded its Storm Boelo warning. An amber wind warning covers Cumbria from 9pm on Saturday 24 October until 9pm on Sunday 25 October. The BBC reports that it includes Whitehaven. Gusts of 60 to 70mph are expected fairly widely, with up to 80mph in exposed coastal areas, and heavy rain and frequent showers too. A yellow wind warning covers the whole county from midday on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday.
The Met Office warns that flying debris could put lives at risk and that power cuts are likely. Roofs and trees could be damaged, some roads and bridges may close, and road, rail and ferry services could be disrupted. Large waves and beach material could be thrown onto coastal roads and sea fronts.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Mark Sidaway said: "People should prepare by securing loose items outside their property, being ready in case of power outages and being aware of likely travel disruption."
National Highways has cancelled this weekend's A66 roadworks near Penrith because of the forecast. At midday on Friday the Environment Agency had no flood warnings in force for Cumbria. The clocks go back at 2am on Sunday.
What you can do: tie down bins, garden furniture and trampolines on Saturday, charge your phones and keep a torch handy. Keep away from sea fronts and coastal roads on Saturday night and Sunday, and check before you travel. For a power cut, ring 105.