Heavy rain warning as Storm Austen sweeps across Scotland
Scotland is facing heavy rain and strong winds as Storm Austen arrives on Friday, followed by Storm Boelo on Saturday. The warnings raise the risk of flooding and travel disruption, prompting railway operators to slow trains to help keep services running safely.
A yellow rain warning covers central and eastern Scotland from 06:00 on Friday until midnight, with 60–80 mm possible in some places. Boelo’s yellow wind warning runs from 18:00 on Saturday to 21:00 on Sunday, with gusts of 50–65 mph widely and up to 80 mph in exposed areas. Speed restrictions are planned on several rail routes, and power cuts, damage to buildings and hazardous debris are possible.
In short
- Storm Austen could bring up to 80 mm of rain.
- Storm Boelo may bring gusts of up to 80 mph.
- Rail speed limits are planned to reduce weather risks.
Explained simply
Storms can bring heavy rain and strong winds that affect communities, transport and power supplies. In Scotland, rain can raise river levels and overwhelm drains, increasing the risk of flooding, while wind can damage buildings and blow debris onto roads and railway lines.
Weather warnings are issued to alert the public and organisations to possible impacts. Rail operators may reduce train speeds when conditions could make journeys unsafe, which can cause delays as well as help services continue running.