Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) moved to Weather Warning status in the north of Scotland on 19 December 2024, ahead of forecast stormy weather over the weekend. The network operator said gusts of between 75 and 80 mph were expected across the west coast and the north of Scotland on Saturday, reaching their peak in the late afternoon1. It said speeds were forecast to drop slightly on Sunday, but gusts could still reach up to 65 mph across the north of Scotland over the course of the day1. SSEN also noted that the Met Office had issued its own Yellow Warnings for wind over the weekend1.
On 20 December SSEN said it had moved to Yellow Alert, which it described as reflecting a heightened level of preparedness and its latest assessment of the winds' potential impact2. In that update the forecast ranges were wider: gusts of between 75 and 85 mph were expected on Saturday across the west coast, the north of Scotland, and Orkney and Shetland, peaking in the late afternoon and early evening. Sustained gusts of up to 60 mph were forecast across parts of Aberdeenshire on Sunday, with gusts peaking at around 70 mph across Argyll and the Highlands over the course of the day2. The two statements give different figures for the same weekend, and the later one is the revised forecast.
| Area | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| West coast and north of Scotland | 75 to 80 mph (19 December); 75 to 85 mph (20 December) | Up to 65 mph (19 December) |
| Orkney and Shetland | 75 to 85 mph (20 December) | Not reported |
| Parts of Aberdeenshire | Not reported | Up to 60 mph (20 December) |
| Argyll and the Highlands | Not reported | Around 70 mph (20 December) |
SSEN said it was activating contingency plans and bringing in additional teams to deal with any damage to the network and subsequent faults, which may interrupt customers' power supplies1. By 20 December it said it had already contacted nearly 60,000 people on its Priority Services Register ahead of the weekend to offer them help and advice2.
"We've been monitoring this forecast stormy weather for some days, and as its track and intensity has developed, we've prepared a heightened level of response."
Why it matters for households
The warning covers SSEN's network area in the north of Scotland, with the highest gusts expected on Saturday afternoon and further strong winds on Sunday1. SSEN advises 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 asks anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it and report it by calling 1051. Households can read our guides to storms and the electricity network and to preparing your home and garden for high winds, with more in the storms and snow and power cuts hubs.
SSEN says customers are eligible for its Priority Services Register 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 60. It says all its priority services are free, and the register can be discussed on 0800 294 32591. Our guide explains who can join the Priority Services Register and what it gives.
What happens next
SSEN said it would continue to monitor the forecast closely and issue further updates depending on the forecast1. It said customers can follow updates on its Facebook page (ssencommunity)1.
Storms and the Electricity Grid
Preparing for High Winds
