Britain Braces for Another Round of Storms After Pier Collapse in Brighton

The 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.

While Austen has lost its intensity as it moves into Scandinavia, Boelo will continue to impact the UK through the weekend. Boelo will then track into southern Norway by the beginning of next week, bringing along its high winds and steady stream of moisture.

Former Subtropical Storm Josephine Up Next for the UK

As the UK recovers from the back-to-back impacts of Austen and Boelo, the former Subtropical Storm Josephine is approaching the region from the Atlantic. The windstorm connected to Josephine's remnants is expected to move to the north as it churns in the open Atlantic. However, a track farther to the east will translate to impacts on the western shores of Ireland and Scotland.

What is left of Josephine is spinning off the southern tip of Greenland on Saturday, delivering gusty winds and rain to this area. The southeastern corner of Newfoundland, Canada, is also experiencing some of Josephine's wrath.

Whether or not Josephine's remnants take on a new name as it crosses the Atlantic will depend on how much of its wind energy the system loses and what happens as it nears the UK. The next name up in this naming system is Chloe. The UK Met Office gives storms an official name when their potential damage necessitates an amber or red weather warning.

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.