Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution moved to Weather Warning status in the north of Scotland on 29 January 2024, ahead of very strong winds forecast for Wednesday 31 January1. On 30 January it upgraded to its Yellow Alert operational status, which it described as "an upgrade to its warning level and reflects the expected impact on the electricity network during this period of severe weather"2.
The 29 January forecast put gusts at up to 70mph in the Western Isles, Caithness, Orkney, Shetland and parts of the mainland West Coast, with 80mph gusts possible on coasts and exposed areas, and winds of 60-65mph expected in Perthshire, Angus, Aberdeen and on the Moray coast1. The 30 January update widened and strengthened the forecast: storm-force winds across the Western Isles, Skye, Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, Shetland, Moray and Aberdeenshire, with winds of 65-75mph and gusts of up to 85mph at times, up to 55mph across the rest of the north of Scotland network area, and heavy rain particularly in the west2. SSEN said winds would ease later on Wednesday in mainland Scotland but remain stormy on the Northern Isles overnight and into Thursday2. The Met Office issued its own weather warnings for the period2.
| Date | SSEN status | Forecast in SSEN's model |
|---|---|---|
| 29 January 2024 | Weather Warning | Gusts up to 70mph; 80mph on coasts and exposed areas; 60-65mph in Perthshire, Angus, Aberdeen and on the Moray coast1 |
| 30 January 2024 | Yellow Alert (upgrade) | Winds of 65-75mph with gusts up to 85mph at times across the Western Isles, Skye, Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, Shetland, Moray and Aberdeenshire; up to 55mph elsewhere in the network area; heavy rain, particularly in the west2 |
SSEN said it had activated severe weather plans, bringing in extra teams to deal with network faults and damage, relocating teams to areas expected to be affected and increasing the number of people available to take customers' calls1. On 30 January it said text messages offering advice and support were being sent to almost 150,000 customers signed up to its Priority Service Register, with the most vulnerable customers who cannot receive text messages being telephoned2.
"If you see any damage to our equipment, please stay back, don't touch it and instead report it to us directly by calling 105, or via our Power Track website, and our engineers will investigate as soon as possible."
Why it matters for households
Households across the north of Scotland, from the Western Isles and Skye to Orkney, Shetland, Moray and Aberdeenshire, could see supply disruption from Wednesday 31 January, with the Northern Isles affected overnight and into Thursday2. SSEN encouraged customers to save the emergency power cut number 105 to report loss of supply or damage to the network, and to use its Power Track website for details of power cuts and restoration times1. It also encouraged customers to follow its Facebook page (ssencommunity) for updates1.
SSEN said households may be eligible for its free Priority Services Register if a member is deaf or hard of hearing, has a disability, is a child under five, is blind or partially sighted, has a chronic illness, uses medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity, or is over 60; details are available on 0800 294 32591. SSEN's advice on preparing for possible disruption is set out in its guidance on preparing your home and garden for high winds, with further material in the storms and snow hub and on how to drive safely in strong winds.
What happens next
SSEN said it would continue to watch the period of severe weather closely and issue further updates depending on the forecast1. Winds were expected to ease later on Wednesday in mainland Scotland, while remaining stormy on the Northern Isles overnight and into Thursday2.
Preparing for High Winds
