The two weather systems are expected to affect different parts of the UK. While Austen will bring the strongest winds to southwest England on Friday, Boelo is forecast to affect Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern England over the weekend. Both storms could disrupt transport, damage buildings and cause power cuts.
Storm Boelo Brings Fresh Warnings Across Northern Britain
The Met Office named Storm Boelo on Thursday, 22 October, making it the second named storm of the 2026–27 season. The system is expected to reach Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Saturday afternoon, bringing increasingly strong winds as it moves across the country.
According to Sky News, a yellow wind warning covering mainland Scotland, the Western Isles, Orkney and the far north of England will remain in force from 6pm on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday. Widespread gusts of 55–65mph are forecast, rising to 70–80mph in more exposed coastal locations.
Northern Ireland faces a separate yellow warning from 6pm on Saturday until 3pm on Sunday. Winds of 50–60mph are expected widely, with gusts potentially reaching 65–75mph in exposed areas. Met Office deputy chief forecaster Chris Bulmer said the storm would affect the opposite end of the country to Austen, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to northern regions.
The BBC reports that Boelo could cause transport disruption, power cuts and localised flooding. Surface water and spray are also expected to make travelling difficult on faster roads and motorways. The strongest winds are forecast to reach Scotland on Saturday afternoon before peaking overnight. Some localised disruption could occur as winds funnel through the Central Lowlands.
Storm Austen Arrives First As Atlantic Jet Stream Drives Successive Storms
Before Boelo reaches Britain, Storm Austen is expected to bring severe conditions to southern England during the early hours of Friday.
An amber wind warning covers Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Plymouth and parts of Devon between 1am and 10am. Gusts of 60–70mph are widely expected, potentially reaching 80mph in exposed locations. According to the BBC, yellow wind warnings also cover much of England and Wales, where gusts could reach 45–60mph, with 70mph possible in some places.
The strongest winds could bring down trees, interrupt rail services and damage buildings. Heavy rain is also forecast in Scotland, where some locations could receive up to 80mm through Friday.
The rapid succession of storms is linked to conditions over the Atlantic. A powerful jet stream can support the development of low-pressure systems as warmer air moves northwards and colder air shifts southwards. These temperature contrasts help create conditions in which storms can develop rapidly.
The BBC notes that storms arriving in clusters are not unusual. Named storms become more frequent during autumn, with December, January and February typically recording the highest numbers. Austen is expected to clear into the North Sea by Friday evening, before Boelo brings another period of unsettled weather across the UK.
