STORM FLORIS | AMBER WEATHER WARNING

"Exceptional" Storm Floris on the way

Amber wind warning issued for Monday

The public is being warned to prepare for some expected travel disruption as Storm Floris sweeps into Scotland.

The Met Office has issued an amber warning for high winds on Monday 4th Aug, between 10am and 10pm, for a large part of mainland Scotland and the Western Isles. A yellow warning for high winds remains in place throughout Monday for most of the country.

Potentially 'exceptional' weather for this time of year with gusts of up to 70mph inland and 80mph around some coastlines could hit parts of the country. Rail and ferry services are likely to be subject to cancellation, delay or speed restrictions. There will also impact on roads and bridges, particularly for high-sided vehicles. Homeowners are also being reminded to secure items like outdoor furniture.

The Multi-Agency Response Team will stand up for the duration of the weather warings and monitor conditions from the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre in South Queensferry.

The latest Met Office forecasting and weather models are showing conditions more akin to winter than summer early next week. Much colder-than-normal air over Canada, clashing with heat building across the southern US, is supercharging the jet stream over the western Atlantic.

A spell of heavy rain will also spread across the country which could bring some flooding impacts but is expected to move through relatively quickly.

Matthew Lehnert is a Met Office Chief Meteorologist;

“Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60-70mph more likely at higher elevations and around exposed coasts in Scotland. There is a small chance that some locations here could even record gusts of 85mph. As Storm Floris tracks across the northern half of the UK, winds will first begin to ease in the west on late Monday.”

Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024/2025 Storm Naming season. Storm Éowyn – which occurred in late January – was the last named storm to affect the UK.

Although named storms are more frequent in late autumn and winter, it is not uncommon for named storms to occur in summer.

The SGORR Secretariat of the Scottish Government’s Civil Contingencies Division held a summer resilience meeting on Friday with key partners to ensure preparations and resources are ready ahead of Monday and Tuesday.

Forecasters have warned the unseasonal timing might cause more disruption than usual, due to more people travelling, being on holiday, and being caught unaware.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:

"Key partners have met to discuss preparations for next week and conditions will be monitored over the weekend and into next week. 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. Officials will be monitoring the situation and are ready to stand up the Multi Agency Response Team, if required.

“I am grateful to those who are giving up their weekend and time off to help co-ordinate the transport sector's response. Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, SEPA, local authorities and others will communicate any closures to the public and provide real time updates."