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UK summer storm creates travel chaos

UK summer storm creates travel chaos

LeMonde04-08-2025
High-speed winds disrupted trains and blew over trees in Scotland and northern England where residents were advised against travelling as an "unusually" fierce summer storm hit the UK on Monday, August 4. Gusts in the north of Scotland reached 132 kilometres per hour (82 miles per hour), the fastest ever recorded in August in Scotland.
The second-most serious amber wind warning was in place across almost all of Scotland as officials sought to minimise damage. "Storm Floris is an unusually strong storm for the time of year," the UK's Meteorological Office said in a statement.
The Met Office said it was only the third time an amber wind warning had been issued in August since the system launched in 2011, adding that some gusts in Scotland were "likely" to beat records.
Scientists say human-induced climate change is driving more intense and frequent extreme weather events around the globe, as the planet continues to warm.
Edinburgh Zoo closed for the day
Several train operators in northern England and Scotland canceled services, warning passengers not to make their journeys. A tree was removed after it fell onto overhead railway wires in Glasgow, causing a fire, according to Network Rail Scotland. Multiple trees were also blown over in the northeastern Scottish region of Aberdeenshire, blocking roads. Flights were canceled, especially from Aberdeen airport in the north-east.
In Scotland's capital, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo marching parade was canceled and Edinburgh Zoo said it would be closed for the day. Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the Royal Family in the north of Scotland, was also closed to visitors on Monday.
About 22,500 homes were without power in the afternoon according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Storm Floris is the second named storm to hit the UK this year, and the sixth one this storm season, which will run from early September 2024 to late August 2025.
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UK summer storm creates travel chaos
UK summer storm creates travel chaos

LeMonde

time04-08-2025

  • LeMonde

UK summer storm creates travel chaos

High-speed winds disrupted trains and blew over trees in Scotland and northern England where residents were advised against travelling as an "unusually" fierce summer storm hit the UK on Monday, August 4. Gusts in the north of Scotland reached 132 kilometres per hour (82 miles per hour), the fastest ever recorded in August in Scotland. The second-most serious amber wind warning was in place across almost all of Scotland as officials sought to minimise damage. "Storm Floris is an unusually strong storm for the time of year," the UK's Meteorological Office said in a statement. The Met Office said it was only the third time an amber wind warning had been issued in August since the system launched in 2011, adding that some gusts in Scotland were "likely" to beat records. Scientists say human-induced climate change is driving more intense and frequent extreme weather events around the globe, as the planet continues to warm. Edinburgh Zoo closed for the day Several train operators in northern England and Scotland canceled services, warning passengers not to make their journeys. A tree was removed after it fell onto overhead railway wires in Glasgow, causing a fire, according to Network Rail Scotland. Multiple trees were also blown over in the northeastern Scottish region of Aberdeenshire, blocking roads. Flights were canceled, especially from Aberdeen airport in the north-east. In Scotland's capital, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo marching parade was canceled and Edinburgh Zoo said it would be closed for the day. Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the Royal Family in the north of Scotland, was also closed to visitors on Monday. About 22,500 homes were without power in the afternoon according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Storm Floris is the second named storm to hit the UK this year, and the sixth one this storm season, which will run from early September 2024 to late August 2025.

Amber wind warning in place as Storm Floris hits Scotland
Amber wind warning in place as Storm Floris hits Scotland

Euronews

time04-08-2025

  • Euronews

Amber wind warning in place as Storm Floris hits Scotland

Authorities in Scotland cancelled trains, closed parks and warned people to tie down backyard trampolines on Monday as a rare summer storm brought potentially destructive winds to northern Britain. The UK's Meteorological Office issued an "amber" wind warning in Scotland for Storm Floris, meaning there is a potential risk to lives and property, especially from large waves in coastal areas. The agency said wind gusts could reach 137 km/h, accompanied by heavy rain. The storm is hitting at the busiest time of year for tourism, with Scotland marking its summer bank holiday and hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the Edinburgh Fringe and other arts festivals. The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, one of the city's biggest tourist draws, said it was cancelling Monday's scheduled outdoor performance by massed ranks of bagpipers and drummers at Edinburgh Castle. Train companies cancelled services across much of Scotland, and some ferry crossings were also scrapped. Floris, named by weather authorities, could also hit parts of Northern Ireland, Wales and northern England, the Met Office said. Scottish government minister Angela Constance urged people to be careful if travelling and "consider this a winter journey as opposed to a summer journey." "Please make sure you've got warm clothes, food, water, plenty of fuel and that your mobile phone is charged up," she advised. Train operator ScotRail urged "anyone with garden equipment, such as tents, trampolines or furniture, to secure items so that they don't blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment." Meanwhile, a lower yellow alert is in place across northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland between 7 am and 1 am CEST the following day. Floris is the sixth named storm to hit the UK in the 2024/25 season and is the first since January.

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