Met Office maps show Storm Floris weather warnings as 90mph winds hit UK

Yahoo

a day ago

Storm Floris has arrived in the UK, with strong winds and rain across northern England and Scotland on Monday.
The UK has been battered by 90mph winds as weather warnings are in force after the arrival of Storm Floris.
A Met Office amber weather warning for wind is in place until 10pm on Monday (4 August) across central and northern Scotland, while a less severe yellow warning lasts until 6am on Tuesday (5 August) and covers the north of England and Northern Ireland.
A separate yellow warning for wind for the Orkney and Shetland islands of Scotland begins at midnight and lasts until 8am on Tuesday.
On Monday morning, Network Rail Scotland said winds had reached speeds of 90mph in the west of the country as Floris caused widespread travel disruption, with passengers later warned disruption to the rail network is likely to continue into Tuesday.
A number of camper vans were blown over by gusts on the A87 road between Broadford and Portreee on the Isle of Skye, while the A96 in Aberdeenshire was closed in both directions after a number of trees fell near Old Rayne between Huntly and Inverurie due to several fallen trees.
ScotRail advised anyone with garden equipment such as trampolines to keep them secure so they don't blow on to railway tracks.
Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50mph, with 60 to 70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland."
He said there was as small chance some locations could record gusts of 85mph.
The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England.
The Met Office warned of the risk of injuries and danger to life from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties, as well as the potential for damage to trees and buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs.
Travel disruption likely
Train operator LNER told passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday and Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, warning it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather.
Several rail lines have been closed since midday on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times, Network Rail said.
Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee, Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that closed at noon.
Ferry operator CalMac has also issued a series of cancellations ahead of the storm.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said it had cancelled its Monday show due to the storm.
Scottish justice secretary Angela Constance told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland news programme: 'Storm Floris is well and truly with us today and it's imperative that people follow advice because there will be significant disruption on our travel network.'
She said anyone who has to travel is likely to face disruption and should plan ahead, adding: '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.'
Motorists have been urged to slow down in poor weather and avoid exposed Highland and coastal routes.
Rod Dennis, from the RAC, said: "This unseasonable bout of stormy weather will mean drivers in the north and west of the UK need to take extra care at the start of next week.
"It's the height of the holiday season, so those towing trailers and caravans, as well as those with roof and tent boxes, must ensure their loads are properly secured."
Shaun Jones, from the AA, added: "If you're planning a journey - especially through exposed or rural areas - it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected.
"Keep both hands on the wheel, especially on open roads and motorways, and be mindful of high-sided vehicles and cyclists who may be more affected by gusts.
"Watch out for fallen branches or debris, particularly in rural areas - this could be telltale signs of a fallen tree ahead."
The Met Office issued advice on how people can prepare for strong winds and heavy rain, including checking fences and roof tiles are secure, securing outdoor furniture and clearing guttering and drains of leaves and debris.
Other advice includes closing and securely fastening doors and windows, particularly those on the windward side of the house.
Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August, and January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
Named storms are more frequent in late autumn and winter but are "not uncommon" for summer, the Met Office said.
The forecast rain will not counteract the impacts of the driest start of the year since 1976 but will provide some short-term relief, said Environment Agency (EA) national drought manager Stuart Sampson.
The UK has experienced three heatwaves so far this summer, which left four regions of England in drought.
London and the South East
Monday and Tuesday
Outbreaks of rain, heavy in places, moving east through the afternoon, followed by dry and clearer conditions later. Maximum temperature 23°C.
Any lingering cloud across Kent at first soon clearing. A dry night to follow for all with long clear spells, but the brisk breeze will persist throughout. Minimum temperature 11°C.
On Tuesday, rather windy with sunny spells and dry for most, although an isolated fleeting shower is just possible. Winds gradually ease through the evening with long clear spells developing. Feeling fresher. Maximum temperature 23°C.
South West
Monday and Tuesday
Turning unsettled with Storm Floris bringing wet and windy conditions. Rain gradually clearing southeastwards through the afternoon. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 24°C.
A drier end to the day with late sunny spells. Then, a mixture of clear spells and the odd shower, with winds slowly easing throughout the night. A cooler night. Minimum temperature 8°C.
Breezy on Tuesday with a mixture of sunny spells and a few showers in the morning, though most places staying dry. Feeling fresher in the northwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 22°C.
Midlands
Monday and Tuesday
Rain gradually clearing southeastwards through the afternoon leaving sunnier spells. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 23°C.
A drier end to the day with plenty of late sunshine. Then, a mixture of clear spells and perhaps the odd shower, with winds slowly easing throughout the night. Cooler. Minimum temperature 10°C.
Tuesday will be breezy with a mixture of sunny spells and a few showers in the far north, these gradually easing into the evening with winds turning lighter. Feeling fresher than Monday. Maximum temperature 20°C.
North East
Monday and Tuesday
The rain from Storm Floris will clear to largely dry, bright conditions in the afternoon but winds remaining very blustery. Maximum temperature 21°C.
Clear spells Monday night and mostly dry in the east, cloudier at times across the Pennines with a few passing showers, and blustery winds continuing. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
Continuing windy on Tuesday with sunny spells and occasional blustery showers. The winds will eventually begin to ease later in the evening with showers also tending to fade away. Feeling fresher. Maximum temperature 19°C.
North West
Monday and Tuesday
Storm Floris bringing unseasonably strong winds, accompanied by heavy rain, turning brighter through the afternoon with sunny spells and blustery showers. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 21°C.
A drier end to the day with late sunny spells. Then, a mixture of clear spells and showers with winds slowly easing throughout the night. Cooler overnight. Minimum temperature 10°C.
Breezy on Tuesday with a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers, these gradually easing into the evening with winds turning lighter. Maximum temperature 21°C.
Scotland
Monday and Tuesday
Storm Floris will bring gale to severe gale winds across the area, and perhaps storm force gusts.
Storm Floris clearing north from Scotland in the evening, easing the very strong winds with the last of the gales leaving late evening. Showers more frequent in the west. Minimum temperature 11°C.
Brisk west to northwest winds on Tuesday bringing sunshine and showers. Maximum temperature 21°C.
Northern Ireland
Monday and Tuesday
Storm Floris will bring strong, and initially gale force, winds across country. Maximum temperature 19 °C.
Fresh to strong west to northwest winds feeding a run of showers across Northern Ireland in the evening with outbreaks focused to the west of Lough Neagh. Minimum temperature 9°C.
Fresh west to northwest winds bringing showers and brighter spells across the country on Tuesday, with outbreaks more frequent during the morning. Maximum temperature 20°C.
Wales
Monday and Tuesday
Storm Floris bringing unseasonably strong winds, especially in the north, accompanied by heavy rain. Turning brighter through the afternoon with sunny spells and blustery showers. A muggy start but feeling fresher later. Maximum temperature 22°C.
A drier end to the day with late sunny spells. Then, a mixture of clear spells and the odd shower, with winds slowly easing throughout the night. A cooler night. Minimum temperature 8°C.
Breezy on Tuesday with a mixture of sunny spells and a few showers, though most places staying dry. Feeling fresher in the northwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 21°C.
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