Incoming storms have been the main topic of conversation in then UK for the past week or so, and now we’re preparing to face them head on. After the news of Storm Austen coming in to give us a battering, there are now fresh warnings of a second storm, Boelo, coming in immediately after – safe to say we’ll be staying indoors for the foreseeable.
A Met Office yellow wind warning covers Greater Manchester today, Friday 23 October, from 10 AM to 9 PM, with inland gusts of 45 to 55 mph possible during the daytime. As a result, the Met Office warns of a risk of power cuts and travel disruption, and a second storm follows tomorrow.
The warning also covers other parts of north west England. It links the gusts to Storm Austen. The Met Office says locally heavy rain, plus trees that are still fully in leaf, raise the chance of fallen branches, power outages and slower journeys.
What to expect in Greater Manchester today
The Met Office issued the warning at 10:03 AM on Thursday 22 October. It rates the likelihood as high (50-75%) and the impact as moderate.
- Temperatures: a high of 11°C and a low of 8°C.
- Heaviest rain: between 3 PM and 7 PM, so the evening commute is likely to be the roughest stretch.
- Wind: gusts may peak at around 45 mph at about 5 PM, with the warning allowing for up to 55 mph.
- Clearing: rain should stop at around 10 PM.
If you have to travel this afternoon, check your route and your operator before you leave. Allow extra time, particularly on roads lined with trees.
Storm Boelo follows on Saturday
The Met Office named Storm Boelo on Thursday. Chris Bulmer, Deputy Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, says it will mainly affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northern England. Gusts of 70-80 mph are possible in exposed coastal areas and on high ground, and 50-60 mph more widely.
Greater Manchester should see less extreme conditions than the coast and the hills. Saturday is forecast to reach 13°C, with a low of 7°C. Rain will fall through the day but is most intense from 10 AM to 7 PM, and gusts are projected to peak at around 47 mph by 7 PM.
The Met Office expects a very windy spell from Saturday evening. It will continue overnight and through much of Sunday, easing from the South West later. Anyone planning a weekend trip, particularly towards the coast or the Pennines, should check the latest forecast first.
Warnings across the UK
The Met Office has issued six warnings across the UK for this spell: one amber wind warning, four yellow wind warnings and one yellow rain warning. Greater Manchester’s is one of the yellow wind warnings. You can check the full list and any updates on the Met Office warnings page.
