23rd October 2026
Storm Boelo will impact Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend. Warnings have also been updated for Storm Austen which impacts the south of England and Wales on Thursday night and Friday.
A deep area of low pressure is forecast to bring impactful winds on Saturday night and through Sunday to northern parts of the UK. The system will be invigorated by an active jet stream as it crosses the Atlantic before reaching Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday afternoon.
Heavy rain will move in from the west through Saturday, spreading widely across the UK through the day. Wind strength will continue to build through the day too. A Yellow warning for wind has been issued for the whole of mainland Scotland, the Western Isles, Orkney and the far north of England. This warning runs from 1800 Saturday to 2100 Sunday and warns for widespread gusts of 55-65mph widely and up to 70-80mph in more exposed coastal locations.
A separate Yellow warning for wind has been issued for Northern Ireland from 1800 on Saturday to 1500 on Sunday, warning of 50-60mph gusts widely, with up to 65-75mph in exposed regions.
Met Office Deputy Chief Forecaster Chris Bulmer, said: “Storm Boelo will bring strong winds and heavy rain to Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England over the weekend, impacting the opposite end of the country to Storm Austen. Gusts of 70-80mph in exposed coastal areas and high ground are possible, with 50-60mph gusts more widely. The strong winds will be accompanied by heavy rain, making for an impactful weekend of weather. Severe weather warnings and forecast detail will continue to develop, so people should keep up to date with the forecast over the next few days.”
Storm Boelo [pronounced Boo-loh] is a separate low pressure system to Storm Austen which will bring strong wind and heavy rain to southern parts on Thursday night and Friday. Storm Austen clears into the North Sea by Friday evening.
Caithness residents are being advised to keep an eye on the weather forecast as unsettled conditions bring rain and strong winds across northern Scotland on Friday and Saturday, 23 and 24 October.
The Met Office is forecasting a spell of wet weather associated with Storm Austen, followed by further unsettled conditions over the weekend. While the storm's strongest winds are expected further south, northern Scotland could still experience blustery conditions, particularly on Saturday.
Friday is expected to bring cloudy skies and periods of rain, with temperatures around 8–9°C. Saturday could be more unsettled, with persistent rain developing during the afternoon and strong winds adding to the unpleasant conditions.
Motorists should allow extra time for journeys, particularly on exposed roads, where gusts and surface water can make driving more difficult. People travelling by ferry should check for possible service changes, while those living in exposed areas may wish to secure garden furniture, bins and other loose items before the winds strengthen.
Heavy rain can also create localised flooding, especially where drains are blocked or water collects on roads. SEPA is monitoring the wider Scottish flood situation, with further rain expected during the weekend.
The advice is straightforward: check the latest Met Office forecast and any weather warnings before travelling, and remain alert to changing conditions.
Although the worst of Storm Austen may pass elsewhere, Caithness should not assume that it will escape a wet and windy weekend.
Met Office weather forecast
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
SEPA Scottish Flood Forecast
https://scottishfloodforecast.sepa.org.uk/