Storm Boelo strikes UK one day after Storm Austen: 80mph winds hit ferries and trains with more homes facing power cuts as Met Office issues rare amber alert

The UK is bracing for its second storm in just two days, with 80mph winds and heavy rain expected to cause 'widespread travel disruption' and power cuts. 

An amber weather warning is in place today across Scotland, the north of England down to Carlisle and the north-east of Northern Ireland. 

Storm Boelo, the second named storm of the season, follows Storm Austen which battered Cornwall and other parts of the South West yesterday. 

More than 60,000 homes were left without power, schools were forced to close and the storm also destroyed a section of Brighton's iconic West Pier.

Footage showed one side of the landmark, which opened in 1866 and attracted two million visitors a year in its heyday, falling into the water as it was hit by large waves.

Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: 'Yesterday's Storm Austen affected the far south of the UK and northern France and the Channel Islands, whereas today's Storm Boelo will be affecting the north of the UK.

'We have an amber wind warning in place across Scotland later today and through tonight and into the end of Sunday.

'With the strong winds, potentially gusts exceeding 80 miles per hour locally, there will be some widespread travel disruption across Scotland, possibly northern parts of Northern Ireland and the far north of England as well through the next 24 to 36 hours.

Waves crash over the lighthouse at Newhaven Harbour during Storm Austen 

People use umbrellas to shelter from the rain during stormy weather in London

One side of Brighton's historic West Pier falls into the water today as it is hit by large waves

'I'm expecting delays to ferry services, if not cancellations, perhaps some quite widespread impacts to travel on the railways and on the roads as well.'

Conditions are expected to stay 'very wet and windy' across the UK today, but much of England and Wales will be able to look forward to a brighter and sunnier picture on Sunday.

Mr Morgan added that 'we do need the rain desperately', particularly in the south of the UK which faced the brunt of the 'severe drought' this summer.

The Prime Minister warned on Friday that the UK could face 'a winter of greater flooding' and said we are living in a world where 'unexpected events' are 'more and more common'.

Andy Burnham denied the suggestion that the Government is playing catch-up with civil preparedness as he attended a summit organised to learn from the summer's record wildfires.

He said: 'We are having that conversation about resilience. That's why we're holding this summit today, it's why we're putting the guidance out to the public.

'We potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding, so it's about recognising all of those risks and taking action.'

An amber weather warning is in place today across Scotland, the north of England down to Carlisle and the north-east of Northern Ireland

A damaged car after a tree was brought down by a heavy gust of wind in Richmond, west London 

Road closure caused by fallen trees on the A39 between Falmouth and Truro in Cornwall on Friday

Two people walking in the rain along Victoria Embankment in London

The predictions of strong winds in Scotland have led to some rail lines being closed. 

Network Rail has announced that services south and west of Kilwinning in North Ayrshire will stop from 9pm on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, further north the Oban and Mallaig lines will close from about 10pm tonight. 

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.'

Amy Webb, chief operating officer at National Grid Electricity Distribution, added: 'We know how difficult it is to be without power, particularly during severe weather.

'Our engineers are out across the affected areas, working to repair the damage and get customers back on supply as quickly and safely as possible. We're grateful for their patience while that work continues.

'If you see a fallen power line, damaged pole or other damage to our equipment, please stay well clear and call 105 straight away.'