Network Rail implemented speed restrictions on major routes to and from Aberdeen, between Glasgow Central and Carlisle and between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley, STV News reported on 23 October 20261. The restrictions came as the Met Office upgraded its warning for Storm Boelo, the second named storm of the season, to amber1.
The amber warning for wind covers mainland Scotland and the Western Isles from 9pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday, with disruption to travel, damage to property and injuries from flying debris possible2. The Met Office said some damage to buildings and trees, such as tiles blown from roofs and large branches or trees blown over, could occur1. Gusts of 60 to 70 mph are expected fairly widely, with gusts to 80 mph in exposed coastal areas, and disruption is expected on road, rail, air and ferry services1. The strongest winds will initially affect western Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland on Saturday evening, then spread eastwards overnight and through Sunday, easing from the west through Sunday1.
A yellow wind warning remains in force elsewhere, and a yellow rain warning runs from 9pm on Saturday until 3pm on Sunday covering Moray Firth, Aberdeenshire, Perth & Kinross and eastern parts of the Highlands, with a risk of flooding and travel disruption2. A yellow wind warning has also been issued for most of Scotland from 3am until midnight on Tuesday2. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has 11 flood alerts in place in the same areas as the Met Office yellow warning1.
| Warning | Area | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Amber, wind | Mainland Scotland and the Western Isles | 9pm Saturday to 9pm Sunday2 |
| Yellow, rain | Moray Firth, Aberdeenshire, Perth & Kinross, eastern Highlands | 9pm Saturday to 3pm Sunday2 |
| Yellow, wind | Most of Scotland | 3am to midnight Tuesday2 |
Ministers activated the Scottish Government's Resilience Room (SGORR) to prepare for strong, windy conditions, and the Transport Scotland Resilience Room and Multi Agency Response Team will be stood up for the duration of the warning to monitor conditions and coordinate responses across the transport network2.
"Our advice is to plan ahead and consider if your journey is really necessary or if it can be delayed until conditions improve."
Why it matters for households
The amber warning covers the whole of mainland Scotland and the Western Isles from Saturday evening, with travel disruption expected across road, rail, air and ferry services2. Police Scotland confirmed the B9071 is closed between Garderhouse and the Reawick junction in Skeld, Shetland following a landslide, and drivers are urged to avoid the area1. Police Scotland's deputy head of road policing said stopping distances can be at least double on wet roads compared with dry conditions, and that HGV and bus drivers may be asked by police to park at a suitable position2. Cabinet secretary Stephen Flynn said travellers everywhere should be prepared for potential disruption, and that anyone planning to travel should check conditions before setting out and allow extra time2. SEPA's flood duty manager said the flood risk will remain elevated across the weekend and into next week, and urged people to remain vigilant and check SEPA's flooding page2. Further detail on travelling in these conditions is in the guide to trains, buses and bridge closures in bad weather, and on deciding whether to travel in should I delay my journey in bad weather.
What happens next
The amber wind warning runs until 9pm on Sunday, when winds are expected to have eased from the west1. The yellow rain warning ends at 3pm on Sunday and the yellow wind warning for most of Scotland runs until midnight on Tuesday2. A further area of low pressure could be named Storm Chloe, bringing another spell of strong winds, STV News reported2. Traffic Scotland will provide updates via its website, social media channels and radio broadcasts from the National Control Centre in South Queensferry2.
Travel Disruption in Bad Weather
Delaying Journeys in Bad Weather
