Storm Floris: Scots urged to stay indoors to avoid 85mph winds
Much of Scotland will be battered by heavy rain and winds of up to 85mph, the Met Office warned as it upgraded warnings to amber.
The forecaster said injuries and danger to life are expected from large waves hitting seafronts, coastal roads and properties.
Some trains and ferry services have already been cancelled with more likely to be impacted, including air and road transport.
The warning for 'unseasonably' strong winds will come into force at 10am on Monday for 12 hours across most of the central belt and north of the country.
A yellow warning for other parts of Scotland will be in place from 6am until midnight.
Western coastal areas are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, although strong winds and rain will likely lead to disruption at Edinburgh's festivals.
On Sunday night, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo said it had cancelled its Monday show due to the storm.
Network Rail said several lines will be closed from 12pm on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times.
Edinburgh – Fife/Perth/Dundee, Perth – Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that will close at noon.
Ferry operator CalMac has also issued a series of cancellations ahead of the storm.
LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, as it warned it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather.
Forecasters have warned people who are outdoors to avoid walking or seeking shelter near buildings or trees, said said that loose items including bins and garden furniture could blow away unless secured.
Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a meeting had been held on Friday to ensure the country is ready for the storm, adding: 'Given the unusual timing, and the fact some people will be on holiday, travelling or perhaps unaware, we are trying to raise even more awareness than usual of this potentially disruptive storm.
'Please check with operators as we do expect rail, ferries, roads and bridges to be disrupted on Monday across the country.
'This is a slightly unusual situation for August, however the message is the same as winter – plan ahead, check your journey in advance, allow extra time, and don't take any unnecessary risks.'
Those driving in poor weather have been urged to avoid the worst-hit areas and slow down when on the roads while allowing time for delays.
The Met Office said there was the potential for power cuts in some areas as well as disruption to mobile phone coverage.
The warning zone covers Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, north Wales and the north of England.
Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August. January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
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Met Office maps show Storm Floris weather warnings as 90mph winds hit UK
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. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Storm Floris to cause disruption into Tuesday in Scotland, Network Rail says
Disruption to the rail network in Scotland from Storm Floris is likely to continue into Tuesday, passengers have been warned. Network Rail said it is working 'tirelessly' to clear routes blocked by falling trees and debris. However, some checks will need to be carried out on Tuesday morning. Ross Moran, Network Rail Scotland's route director, said: 'Storm Floris has caused significant disruption to Scotland's railway, with wind speeds of up to 90mph, unprecedented for a summer storm. 'Our teams have been working tirelessly to keep services moving where possible and to clear fallen trees and debris from the tracks. 'As the storm passes later this evening, our focus switches to inspecting routes which have been closed by fallen trees, debris and other damage. 'Our teams will work through the night, but this work will continue into Tuesday morning. 'We'll use two helicopters to assist engineers on the ground. We're grateful to passengers for their patience whilst we do this.' Rail, road and ferry travel have been disrupted and festival events cancelled as Storm Floris sweeps across Scotland, bringing with it heavy rain and gusts in excess of 100mph. Disruption on the railways has left passengers facing multiple cancellations, while a number of roads around the country have been blocked. Western coastal areas are bearing the brunt of the summer storm but strong winds and heavy rain are affecting much of the rest of the country. An amber weather warning is in place in an area stretching from the central belt to the north coast until 11pm, with the Met Office saying injuries and danger to life are expected from large waves hitting seafronts, coastal roads and properties. The rest of the country is covered by a yellow weather warning until 11.59pm on Monday. Police said they had received 'multiple reports' of campervans being blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree on Skye, while in Aberdeenshire the A96 is closed in both directions near Old Rayne because of several fallen trees. Fallen trees have also seen a number of other roads closed, including the A95 Rosarie road in both directions and the A96 in a number of locations, while the A9 at Daviot is partially blocked by a fallen tree. High winds have also led to the closure of the A9 Dornoch Bridge in both directions, and the A1 Tyne Bridge is only open to cars and single-decker buses. Those driving in poor weather have been urged to avoid the worst-hit areas and slow down when on the roads while allowing time for delays. The storm has also had a 'severe impact' on railways, with a number of services being pre-emptively cancelled and speed limits in place on all routes. Edinburgh to Fife/Perth/Dundee; Perth to Dundee/Aberdeen/Inverness and the West Highland Line are among the routes that were closed at noon on Monday. Network Rail has reported a number of storm-related incidents, including trees falling on to overhead lines at King's Park in Glasgow, Cornton near Stirling and near Paisley, and damage to overhead wires in the Hamilton Circle area. LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, as it warned it will be 'heavily impacted' by the weather. Meanwhile, ScotRail has urged people to secure all outdoor equipment such as trampolines. Posting on social media, the rail operator said: 'We're asking 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.' The Kusz family are among those contending with delays and cancellations on the railway, as they attempt to return home to Blackpool with 11 pieces of luggage following a family holiday in Ayr. They are currently at Glasgow Central station where they said there had been 'about nine cancellations'. Paul Audoire, 59, told the PA news agency: 'The weather is not as bad as we thought, they are just taking precautions. 'We need to get off at Carlisle, wait for another train, get off at Preston and change trains again. 'I don't know how long we need to wait at Carlisle or at Preston. It's just a case of leapfrogging all the way.' Ferries have also seen widespread disruption, with ferry operator CalMac cancelling a number of sailings on Monday as a result of high winds. Festivals in the Edinburgh area have also been disrupted, with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a ceilidh event on Princes Street Gardens and the Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick all cancelled on Monday as a result of the expected high winds. Earlier, Scottish Government ministers said it was 'imperative' that people follow advice as Storm Floris hit the country. In a post on X, First Minister John Swinney appealed to the public to 'please stay safe', adding that weather conditions would be 'very difficult' on Monday with disruption to some services. Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Scotland news programme, Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: '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.' Ms Constance said the Government's resilience room had been activated to give authorities a clear picture of the situation around the country. The minister added: 'If you have an elderly relative or neighbour who may be a wee bit vulnerable, please be a good neighbour, be friendly, just check they're alright.' 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.' A yellow warning for other parts of Scotland is in place from 6am until midnight. Forecasters have warned people who are outdoors to avoid walking or seeking shelter near buildings or trees, and said that loose items including bins and garden furniture could blow away unless secured. The Met Office said there was the potential for power cuts in some areas as well as disruption to mobile phone coverage. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August. January's Storm Eowyn was the most recent.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Glasgow-Edinburgh passengers face rail chaos as Storm Floris object disrupts services
Storm Floris continues to wreak havoc on Scotland's transport network with rail services disrupted across the country. A polythene sheet has become caught on overhead wires at around 5.07pm on Monday August 4. Taking to X, Network Rail Scotland said the object has meant the Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh service has had to be halted while they deal with the issue. READ MORE: Edinburgh Gyle shopping centre evacuated after 'incident' in Morrisons store READ MORE: Edinburgh teen detained after night of 'lawlessness' which rocked the capital Their statement on social media read: "A large polythene sheet is caught on the overhead wires near Bishopbriggs, meaning trains can't run from Glasgow Queen Street towards Edinburgh or Stirling. "Trains heading towards Glasgow can pass with caution. Staff on site inspecting the issue." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. LNER services had stopped at Newcastle after it was advised it may be unsafe to travel further up the east coast. Scotrail have also warned travellers to expect disruption from the storm into Tuesday August 5. In a post on X, they shared: "Storm Floris continues to bring very strong and disruptive winds across Scotland, with an amber Met Office warning in place until 23:00 across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and all areas north of the Central Belt area. A further yellow warning is in place across all other areas of Scotland, until the end of today. "The damage caused by the storm has been extensive, including trees falling onto overhead wires and tracks. Network Rail will soon begin work to recover the railway, as a number of routes will need to be inspected once the storm has passed and then repair work carried out. "While some checks will be carried out later tonight, further inspections will be needed during daylight hours, which will cause disruption to services on some routes on Tuesday morning. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "Customers planning to travel on Tuesday should check their journey before travelling using the ScotRail app, website and our page. "ScotRail tickets dated Monday, 4 August, will be valid for travel on our services tomorrow, Tuesday, 5 August. "If you've been unable to use your ticket due to #StormFloris, you can request a full refund using our refund request form."
