Storm Floris: northern UK braces for high winds and travel disruption – live updates | UK news
Published: 2025-08-04 09:34:27 | Views: 10
Opening summary: Scotland braces for amber weather alert
Good morning and welcome to our blog covering Storm Floris with a yellow weather warning for wind already in effect for a swath of the northern UK and an amber wind alert for much of Scotland due to start at 10am. Heavy rain and winds of up to 85mph are possible, the Met Office said.
Some trains and ferry services have already been cancelled with more likely to be affected.
Train operator LNER has told passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, warning it will be “heavily impacted” by the weather.
Stay with for all the developments.
Key events
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance this evening has been cancelled due to Storm Floris.
Edinburgh Tattoo wrote in a post on X:
We’re sorry to announce that due to adverse weather warnings, we have made the difficult decision to cancel tomorrow’s performance on 4 August at 9:30 pm. We understand this will be disappointing, but the safety of our audience, performers and staff is our top priority.
The annual variety show, traditionally set against the iconic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, is due to take place this year through Monday to Saturday between 1 and 23 August.
ScotRail has also asked anyone with garden equipment such as trampolines to keep them secure, as Storm Floris begins to hit Scotland.
Posting to X, 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.
ScotRail: Storm Floris to bring 'unseasonably strong and disruptive winds' across Scotland
ScotRail has warned members of the public about the major disruption facing passengers today because of Storm Floris, which it says will “bring unseasonably strong and disruptive winds” across all parts of Scotland on Monday.
A yellow warning for wind for northern parts of the UK became active at 6am on Monday and will last until 6am on Tuesday. The warnings have been upgraded to amber for much of Scotland and will be in effect from 10am to 10pm. The strongest winds are expected to be across the western Isles and the north of mainland Scotland.
In a press release published on its website yesterday, ScotRail wrote:
Blanket 50mph speed restrictions will be implemented from Network Rail across all ScotRail’s routes because of the poor weather conditions. This will mean fewer normal services and the complete closure of some lines. Other routes will see their last service run at around midday today.
ScotRail is advising passengers to check their journeys in advance online or via its app so they don’t get caught up in the disruption.
Network Rail engineers will inspect the closed lines for any damage once the storm has passed so services will start later on Tuesday across affected routes.
We have some more comments from Jim Dale, the founder of the British Weather Services who has been speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning.
The meteorologist said:
Remember this is summertime: people are milling around on holiday, bank holiday in Scotland, for example.
So some ‘summer articles’, if you like, in gardens, on the beaches, are all going to be there: slides, picnic tables, swings, all ready to be thrown around by the wind. That’s the danger that we’ve got at this moment in time.
These ones (alerts) are put out for very, very good reason. If you are venturing out: keep away from the forest, keep away from the woods, keep off the coastal plain … It’ll become extremely rough on those coasts as the high tide comes in.
We aren’t getting many images in yet but our picture services have sent these from Blackpool today.
A man takes shelter from the wet weather beneath an umbrella as he walks along the promenade in Blackpool Photograph: Peter Byrne/PAA gloomy August day in Blackpool Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA
'Watch your back,' meteorologist warns people affected by weather alert
A meteorologist has warned people in regions affected by a weather alert to “watch their backs” as Storm Floris brings unseasonably strong winds.
A yellow warning for wind for northern parts of the UK became active at 6am on Monday and will last until 6am on Tuesday.
The amber warning in place for much of Scotland will last from 10am to 10pm.
Jim Dale, founder of the British Weather Services, has described the storm as “serious” and “unusual” for the summer months.
He told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday: “The yellow warning does expand down into northern England, north Wales, Northern Ireland.
“So it’s still going to be gusty day - you’re going to have to watch your back.”
Opening summary: Scotland braces for amber weather alert
Good morning and welcome to our blog covering Storm Floris with a yellow weather warning for wind already in effect for a swath of the northern UK and an amber wind alert for much of Scotland due to start at 10am. Heavy rain and winds of up to 85mph are possible, the Met Office said.
Some trains and ferry services have already been cancelled with more likely to be affected.
Train operator LNER has told passengers not to travel north of Newcastle while Avanti West Coast has advised passengers not to travel north of Preston, warning it will be “heavily impacted” by the weather.
