Storm-force winds forecast across northern Scotland

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution moved to its Yellow Alert operational status for the north of Scotland on 30 January, ahead of very strong winds forecast for Wednesday 31 January. The company said the change is "an upgrade to its warning level and reflects the expected impact on the electricity network during this period of severe weather"¹.

SSEN's weather model forecasts storm-force winds across the Western Isles, Skye, Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, Shetland, Moray and Aberdeenshire. Those areas are expected to see winds of 65-75mph, with gusts of up to 85mph at times, while winds of up to 55mph are forecast across the wider north of Scotland network area. The winds will be accompanied by heavy rain, particularly in the west¹.

Winds will ease later on Wednesday in mainland Scotland, but it will remain stormy on the Northern Isles overnight and into Thursday, according to SSEN¹. The Met Office has issued its own weather warnings for the period; SSEN's announcement points to the Met Office's latest updates rather than setting out their detail¹.

SSEN said it has activated severe weather plans, brought in extra teams to deal with network faults and damage, relocated teams to areas expected to be affected and increased the number of people available to take customers' calls. Text messages offering advice and support are being sent to almost 150,000 customers signed up to its Priority Service Register, and the most vulnerable customers who cannot receive text messages are being telephoned¹.

Why it matters for households

Households across the Western Isles, Skye, Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, Shetland, Moray and Aberdeenshire, and more widely across the north of Scotland network area, face possible loss of electricity supply from Wednesday 31 January, with the Northern Isles expected to remain stormy overnight and into Thursday¹. SSEN advises anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it, and report it by calling 105 or via its Power Track website¹. It encourages customers to save the emergency power cut number 105 to report loss of supply or network damage, and to use Power Track for details of power cuts and restoration times¹.

SSEN says extra help is available through its free Priority Services Register for households where someone 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. The register can be reached on 0800 294 3259¹. The company also encourages customers to follow its Facebook page (ssencommunity) for regular updates¹. Households preparing for high winds can find guidance in the guide to preparing your home and garden for high winds, and drivers in the guide to driving safely in strong winds; both sit within the site's storms and snow section.

What happens next

SSEN said it will continue to watch the period of severe weather closely and will issue further updates depending on the forecast¹. Winds are expected to ease later on Wednesday in mainland Scotland, while stormy conditions are forecast to continue on the Northern Isles overnight and into Thursday¹.