North East and North West Regions - Strong winds
Storm Boelo is expected to bring very strong winds across the north of the country on Sunday. Westerly winds will increase steadily overnight, with gusts of 50–55 mph expected widely by dawn, occasionally reaching 60–65 mph, particularly on higher routes across Durham and Northumberland and on exposed western and elevated routes across Cumbria and down to Preston in the North West.
Road users, particularly those driving high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorcycles, are advised to take extra care when travelling due to the increased risk of wind-blown debris, as well as the likelihood of large branches and trees falling.
Winds will gradually ease through the afternoon and evening but are expected to remain very strong on trans-Pennine routes well into the night.
What is a National Highways Amber alert?
This is a National Highways Amber severe weather alert, issued because forecast winds are expected to meet thresholds associated with a significant risk to vehicles using the strategic road network.
The alert is separate from any Met Office weather warning, which is issued using different criteria and is not specific to the strategic road network.
Routes most at risk
High-sided and other vulnerable vehicles are strongly advised to avoid the following routes, where possible, during the alert:
North East
- M1 J32: M18 interchange.
- M1 J34: Tinsley Viaduct and Rotherham.
- M1 J39 to J40: Crigglestone to Dewsbury.
- A628: Woodhead Pass.
- M62 J23 to J25: Huddersfield to Brighouse.
- M62 J31 to J32: Normanton to Pontefract.
- M62 J35A to J36: Rawcliffe Bridge, M18 interchange and Goole.
- M62 J36 to J37: Ouse Bridge.
- A1(M) J44 to J52.
- A1(M) J47 to J49: Between the A59 near Knaresborough and the A168 at Dishforth.
- A1(M) J58 to J65: Between the A1 and Washington.
- A66: Between M6 J40 and the A1 at Scotch Corner.
- A19: Hylton Bridge over the River Wear.
- A19: Tees Viaduct and Leven Viaduct.
- A69: Entire route.
- A1 through Northumberland: Entire route.
- Routes around Tyneside.
- Humber Bridge.
North West
- M53 J1 to J2: Wallasey to Birkenhead
- M56 J12: Runcorn to Sutton Weaver
- M58 J1: Kirkby
- M6 J20 to J21: Thelwall Viaduct
- M6 J26 to J27: M58 to Standish
- M6 J36 to J45: Through Cumbria
- M60 J10 to J12: Barton Bridge through to M62
- M60 J16 to J17: Pendlebury and Kersley to Prestwich and Whitefield
- M62 J18 to J27: Between Manchester and Leeds
- M61 J4 to J5: J5 Westhoughton
- M61 J9 / M65 J1: Interchange
- A56: Between M65 and A680 at Edenfield
- M65 J3 to J4: Withnell and Blackburn Interchange
- A66: Between M6 J40-A1 (Scotch Corner)
- A69: Entire route
Advice for travelling in severe weather can be found here.
