Yellow Wind Warning Hits North-West Scotland as Ferries Cancelled and Flights Grounded
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias brought gales to the Highlands and Western Isles, with CalMac sailings cancelled, two island airports shut and a 109mph gust recorded.
People in Britain searching for "north west" are most likely looking for the gales that hit the far north-west of Scotland on Wednesday. The wind came from the remnants of Hurricane Isaias, which crossed the Atlantic and developed into a deep area of low pressure.
The centre of the storm stays hundreds of miles from the UK, passing close to Iceland. Even so, north-west Scotland took the worst of the winds.
Where the warning applied and what was forecast
The yellow warning covered parts of the Highlands and the Western Isles. It warned of a high risk of moderate impacts. These included disruption to rail, air and ferry services, delays on roads and bridges, especially for high-sided vehicles, and possible short-term power cuts.
Outside the warning area, Shetland was expected to see gusts of around 50mph, though with less risk of disruption. Gusts of about 40mph were forecast for other parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north-west Wales.
Heavy rain was also expected across Scotland and Northern Ireland, heaviest in the north and west. Much of England and Wales was forecast to stay largely dry with sunny spells. Some patchy rain could reach north-west England and north Wales.
Ferry and travel disruption
BBC reporting says more than a dozen ferry routes were cancelled. Sailings on 18 services were called off, and all remaining routes on CalMac's west coast network were warned to expect disruption or cancellation at short notice.
Barra Airport and Benbecula Airport closed because of strong winds, and all flights were cancelled. Fallen trees blocked some roads near the north-west coast, including the B8056 near Shieldaig and the B863 near Kinlochleven.
The recorded 109mph gust near Applecross was well above the 70mph that forecasters said was possible in the warning area. The sources do not say whether that figure was a mountain-top or coastal reading.
What the weather does next
The wind and rain are expected to clear overnight. A warm south-westerly flow is bringing above-average temperatures, mostly in the mid to high teens Celsius. A few spots in southern England could reach 20C on Wednesday, and East Anglia could peak at 22C on Thursday.
A weather front will then move south, bringing rain to Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales. Cooler, drier conditions will follow through Friday and the weekend. Temperatures should return close to the seasonal norm, with a chance of overnight frost in places.
What it means for you
If you are travelling to or from the Western Isles or the west coast of Scotland, check your ferry or flight status before leaving. CalMac has said normal operating hours are expected to resume on Thursday, but short-notice changes remain possible while conditions settle. Drivers on north-west Highland roads should expect some local blockages from fallen trees. Elsewhere in the UK, the main change is the warm spell followed by a cooler weekend.
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Quick answers
When did the yellow wind warning run?
It was valid on Wednesday from 10:00 until 19:00 BST for parts of the Highlands and Western Isles.
Are the ferries running again?
CalMac expects normal operating hours to resume on Thursday. Passengers are urged to check their service before heading out.
Is the whole UK affected by the storm?
No. The storm's centre stays far away near Iceland. Most of England and Wales is staying largely dry.
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