A rapid, deep-forming low pressure system was forecast to move in from the west of Scotland late on Thursday evening, the electricity network operator SSEN said on 15 February 2023, with gusts of up to 80mph expected to hit the Western Isles from around 5am on Friday1.
As the low moved eastward on Friday morning, SSEN forecast gusts of up to 65mph across most of mainland Scotland, and 80mph gales in Orkney and Caithness as the system moved into the North Sea1.
| Area | Forecast |
|---|---|
| Most of mainland Scotland | Gusts of up to 65mph on Friday morning |
| Orkney and Caithness | 80mph gales as the low moves into the North Sea |
SSEN said it had enacted its resilience plans and was increasing and moving additional standby resources to key locations in anticipation of any potential damage. Its customer service teams had proactively contacted over 130,000 customers on its Priority Services Register to offer additional advice and support, and were calling those in high categories of vulnerability. The company said it was coordinating with local resilience partners on preparations and welfare planning1.
"We are urging people not to approach any damaged equipment and instead, to report it by calling 105 or via our Power Track App and engineers will investigate as soon as possible."
SSEN encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number, 105, to their phone for use if power goes off or if they see damage to the electricity network, and to download its Power Track app for details of power cuts and restoration times and to report faults. It also pointed to advice on its website and updates on its Facebook and Twitter accounts1.
Why it matters for households
The warning covers households across the Western Isles, most of mainland Scotland, Orkney and Caithness, with the strongest winds expected in the Western Isles from around 5am on Friday and in Orkney and Caithness later as the low moves into the North Sea1. The practical risk SSEN highlights is disruption to electricity supplies from wind damage to the network1.
SSEN's Priority Services Register provides extra help and support during a power cut. According to the company, 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, are over 60, or temporarily need extra support. More information is available on 0800 294 32591.
SSEN's advice to customers is not to approach any damaged equipment and to report it by calling 105 or via the Power Track app, and to be prepared for possible disruption to supplies by saving the 105 number, downloading the app, checking its website for advice on preparing for a possible loss of power, and following its social media accounts for updates1. The site's guides on staying safe on the coast in gales and high waves and on driving safely in strong winds cover related risks, with further material in the storms and snow hub.
What happens next
SSEN said engineers would investigate reported damage as soon as possible, and that it would post regular updates on its social media accounts1. No further timetable for restoration or for the passage of the low beyond Friday morning was given in the warning1.
Sources (1)
- Weather Warning - North of Scotland - SSEN, ssen.co.uk
Coastal Safety in Gales
Driving in Strong Winds
