Met Office issues Yellow Warnings for wind for Thursday and Friday

The Met Office has issued Yellow Warnings for wind for Thursday and Friday, according to SSEN, the electricity network operator for the north of Scotland¹. SSEN said it has moved to its "Weather Warning" preparedness level in the north of Scotland ahead of a period of forecast stormy weather¹.

SSEN's forecasts indicate wind gusts of up to 75mph will move in from the west of Scotland from late afternoon on Thursday, expected to hit parts of Argyll, the Western Isles, the north-west Highlands and Caithness, with the strongest winds likely along the western coast and the Western Isles¹. There is a potential for 80mph gusts overnight, and heavy rain is also expected¹.

The Met Office warning covers the whole of the UK, but the only regional detail given is for the north west of Scotland¹. No list of areas covered by the Yellow Warnings, and no start or end times for them, have been reported¹.

Why it matters for households

SSEN said the forecast winds may interrupt power supplies, and that its teams are in strategic locations ready to respond to network damage and faults¹. The operator asked customers to save the emergency power cut number, 105, to report any loss of supply or damage to the electricity network, and to use its Power Track website for details of power cuts and restoration times¹. It said anyone who sees damage to its equipment should stay back, not touch it, and report it by calling 105 or via Power Track¹.

SSEN said customers are eligible for its free Priority Services if they are deaf or hard of hearing, have a disability, live with children under five, are blind or partially sighted, have a chronic illness, use medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity, or are over 60¹. The number given for Priority Services is 0800 294 3259¹.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service, writing during earlier Yellow wind warnings, said power cuts may occur with the potential to affect other services such as mobile phone coverage, and that some roads and bridges may close, with road, rail, air and ferry services affected by longer journey times and cancellations². It advised people to check for loose items outside their home and plan how to secure them, including bins, plant pots, garden furniture, trampolines and sheds, and said that being outside in high winds makes people more vulnerable to injury, so where possible they should stay indoors². It also set out who to call after wind damage: a tree fallen on a road but not endangering life should go to the local authority, while a tree fallen on a road or vehicle and endangering life should be reported by calling 999 and asking for the Fire and Rescue Service³. A tree fallen on a property but not endangering life is the personal responsibility of the owner³.

The Met Office publishes weather warnings explained, and households can read guidance on preparing a home and garden for high winds and on driving safely in strong winds. There is also a guide to signing up for Met Office weather alerts.

What happens next

SSEN said it will continue to monitor the weather forecast closely and will issue further updates depending on the forecast¹. It encouraged customers to follow its Facebook page (ssencommunity) for regular updates¹.