Storm Boelo prompts amber warning and Scottish rail closures

Storm Boelo is forecast to bring damaging winds to Scotland this weekend, prompting an amber warning and planned railway closures, while officials also warned of heavy rain and possible flooding. The Met Office amber wind warning is due to run from 9pm Saturday, October 24, until 9pm Sunday, October 25. It covers Scotland and specified nearby areas, including parts of northern England and northeast Northern Ireland. A separate yellow warning applies to parts of England north of Manchester and Northern Ireland through Sunday, according to the Met Office. The Met Office forecast widespread gusts of 60 to 70 mph, with gusts reaching 80 mph in exposed coastal areas. It said the strongest winds would initially affect western Scotland and the far north of Northern Ireland on Saturday evening, then spread east overnight and through Sunday. Flying debris, damage to buildings and trees, power cuts and travel disruption are among the potential hazards described in the warnings. Network Rail Scotland announced that services south and west of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire would stop from 9pm Saturday, while the Oban and Mallaig lines were expected to close from about 10pm. On Sunday,...