Storm Floris is on track to unleash powerful winds across the UK, with severe warnings issued for affected regions.
Storm Floris is about to shake things up across parts of the UK, bringing severe winds that could blast up to 85 mph. The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for wind affecting Wales, Scotland, and England this coming Monday and Tuesday.
If you live in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, or the Isle of Anglesey, it’s time to secure your homes and brace for possible power outages.
Weather Warnings and Predictions
The Met Office has officially named Storm Floris as the sixth storm of the 2024-25 season, which runs from early September to late August.
Following closely behind Storm Eowyn from earlier this January, Floris is set to unleash unusually strong winds starting Monday morning. The most intense gusts are predicted to hit Scotland, especially during the afternoon and evening, with warnings indicating that exposed coastal areas could see gusts reaching a staggering 85 mph.
Local authorities are sounding the alarm, and Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop is leading the charge. She emphasizes the need for everyone to be prepared, stating, “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.” She encourages the public to check travel options as disruptions to rail, ferry, and road services are highly likely.
Impact on Transportation
As Storm Floris looms, the ripple effects are already being felt in transportation services. Train and ferry services in Scotland have been canceled, and Network Rail has announced the closure of several routes starting at noon on Monday. If you’re planning to travel with LNER, it’s best to avoid heading north of Newcastle, while Avanti West Coast warns that its routes from Preston to Scotland are likely to be heavily impacted.
By 3 PM, strong winds are expected to cause significant travel delays across the region, with maximum gusts hitting 40-50 mph in places like Holyhead. Commuters should stay updated on service changes and allow extra time for their journeys. In fact, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has already canceled its Monday performance in anticipation of the severe weather.
Timeline of Wind Gusts
The Met Office has provided a timeline outlining the forecasted wind gusts throughout Monday. At 3 AM, gusts of up to 30 mph were noted in Gwynedd, while Cardiff expects maximum gusts around 19 mph. By 9 AM, those gusts could escalate to 40-50 mph, possibly reaching as high as 54 mph in Holyhead. As the day continues, northwestern winds are predicted to settle in coastal regions, with maximum gusts around 45 mph in Aberystwyth.
Looking ahead to 6 PM, the wind direction is expected to shift slightly, which may reduce gusts in the coastal areas of north Wales but could intensify them inland. By 9 PM, most of Wales may experience a reduction in wind speeds, with gusts settling around 20-30 mph. The weather warning is set to wrap up around 11:59 PM on Monday. Even on Tuesday, while no official warnings are in place, winds will remain strong, with gusts reaching up to 42 mph in Aberystwyth.
Matthew Lehnert, chief meteorologist at the Met Office, warns that many inland areas could face gusts of 40-50 mph, with higher elevations and exposed coastal spots potentially seeing 60-70 mph. He adds, “There is a small chance that some locations could even record gusts of 85 mph.”
