Britain Braces for Another Round of Storms After Pier Collapse in Brighton
Christy Bowen
2 hours agoThe United Kingdom (UK) is dealing with back-to-back storms this weekend, with yet another post-tropical threat taking aim at the region early next week. What was once Tropical Storm Josephine near the U.S. is heading in the other direction and toward the UK, continuing the onslaught of storm systems for this battered part of Europe.
UK Slammed with Back-to-Back Storms
The UK is being hit with high winds and heavy rain as Boelo picks up where Austen left off. Austen unleashed strong winds, rough seas, and significant wave action across Wales and southwest England over the last few days. Local officials are telling people to stay clear of the cliff edges and some stretches of coastline as massive waves impact this part of the UK.
According to the UK Met Office, a top wind gust of 76 mph was recorded at St Mary's Airport in the Isles of Scilly. Elsewhere, a gust of 74 mph was notched in South Wales, while a 71 mph reading was clocked in Cornwall.
Roughly 31,000 customers woke up to no power on Friday morning across portions of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.
Just as Austen is beginning to wind down, Boelo is starting to intensify. The UK Met Office identified Boelo by name on Thursday. The latest forecast models predict that Boelo will peak this weekend, with the highest winds expected in Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland. Gusts as high as 70 to 80 mph will be the story through at least Sunday for the higher ground and exposed coastline. The rest of the impacted region should prepare for gusts of 50 to 60 mph.
The powerful winds and associated big waves forced the closure of several businesses in parts of coastal South Wales. A portion of the West Brighton Pier collapsed into the water. This pier first opened in 1866 but has been closed since 1975.
Moving up into Scotland, forecasters are calling for rain totals hitting as high as 3 inches. Motorists will likely encounter travel disruptions at the peak of the activity.