An amber wind warning has been issued for Renfrewshire as Storm Boelo is forecast to bring very strong winds and heavy rain this weekend.
The Met Office warning runs from 9pm on Saturday 24th October until 9pm on Sunday 25th October.
A yellow wind warning also covers the area from midday on Saturday until 9pm on Sunday. Its start time was brought forward in an update issued on Friday morning.
The Met Office forecasts fairly widespread gusts of 60 to 70mph within the amber warning area, reaching 80mph in exposed coastal locations.
The strongest winds are expected to affect western Scotland on Saturday evening before spreading eastwards overnight and through Sunday. Periods of heavy rain and frequent showers will accompany the winds.
Renfrewshire Council has confirmed that Friday’s Paisley Halloween Festival programme is going ahead as planned. As of its update at 1pm on Friday 23rd October, it had not announced a cancellation of Saturday’s programme.
The council said: “We’re monitoring the weekend weather forecasts closely. Fridays festival programme is going ahead as planned. An update on Saturdays programme will be provided closer to the time. Programme information correct as of Friday 23 October, 1.00pm.”
The Met Office said there was greater confidence that impacts and disruption would occur within the amber warning area. Winds are expected to ease gradually from the west during Sunday.
Rail passengers have been warned to expect significant disruption, with closures on some routes and speed restrictions across Scotland’s railway.
Network Rail has confirmed that services between Kilwinning and Ardrossan and Ayr will stop from 9pm on Saturday. The affected lines will remain closed on Sunday until they have been inspected and are safe to reopen.
Speed restrictions will begin across Scotland’s railway late on Saturday night and continue into Sunday, making journeys longer.
The Crianlarich to Oban and Fort William to Mallaig lines will close from 10pm on Saturday.
On Sunday, the line between Kyle of Lochalsh and Achnashellach will be closed, along with the railway between Wick, Thurso and Helmsdale. These lines will need to be checked for damage or debris before reopening.
Network Rail said specialist weather forecasters were tracking the storm. Extra staff will be ready to respond to fallen trees, debris and other damage.
Craig Gorman, head of operational weather strategy at Network Rail Scotland, said: “We know closing lines and slowing trains will have a significant impact on people’s plans this weekend, and these aren’t decisions we take lightly. But when we’re facing weather of this scale, we have to put safety first and make sensible calls before conditions deteriorate.
“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to understand how the weather could affect different parts of the railway. We’ll keep a close eye on conditions as Storm Boelo moves across Scotland and adapt our response where we need to, while doing everything we can to keep people moving.”
The storm follows Friday’s heavy rain associated with Storm Austen, which brought speed restrictions to parts of the railway in southern and eastern Scotland.
Passengers are urged to plan ahead, allow extra time and check their journey before setting off. They should continue checking National Rail and their train operator for the latest information throughout the weekend.