Commuters have been told to prepare for another day of travel disruption after Storm Floris brought winds topping 100mph to the UK on Monday.
Network Rail warned that travel disruption will continue into Tuesday following “severe” impacts on Scotland’s railways - with passengers told to check their train if they are travelling north of Newcastle.
Gusts of 134mph were recorded on the summit of Cairngorm in the Scottish Highlands. On lower ground, gusts of 82mph at Wick airport in Scotland were recorded with speeds in excess of 70mph records in various parts of the country.
Engineers are working to restore power to around 22,000 properties in the north and north east of Scotland on Tuesday morning. The storm left more than 50,000 homes in Scotland without power, with the Scottish & Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) calling the storm the most damaging summer storm “in recent memory.”
The Scottish Government’s Resilience Room held a meeting on Monday night to help decide an appropriate response to the storm, which has led to power outages and delays in exam results being delivered to pupils.
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Storm Floris: Key points
- What disruption is expected today?
- 22,000 without power on Tuesday morning
- Storm Floris described as ‘most damaging summer storm in recent memory’
- Storm has caused 'extensive' damage, says ScotRail
Students will see exam results delayed due to storm
09:41
,
Athena Stavrou
There will be delays to the delivery of some exam results in island communities as a result of Storm Floris, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has said.
With results due on Tuesday, the SQA said deliveries to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland will be delayed due to the adverse weather.
The SQA said students should contact their school or college in the first instance who should be able to help them.
75 tree-related incidents on Scotland's rail network
09:21
,
Athena Stavrou
Storm Floris has prompted mass disruption on Scotland’s railway lines.
The Scottish Government said there were 119 incidents on the rail network caused by Storm Floris on Monday, including 75 tree-related ones, and Network Rail said it is working “tirelessly” to clear routes blocked by falling trees and debris.
✅ Good news from Bishopton.
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) August 5, 2025
Overnight, our engineers have repaired the storm damaged overhead wires. Services are now running between Glasgow Central and Gourock/Wemyss Bay. @ScotRail #StormFloris https://t.co/WQ2xKRAuHL
22,000 lose power on Tuesday morning
08:32
,
Athena Stavrou
Engineers are working to restore power to around 22,000 properties in the north and north east of Scotland on Tuesday morning, following Storm Floris.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it had restored power to 50,000 properties since the onset of the storm.
#Floris has been an unprecedented summer storm, and our network in the north of Scotland has been significantly affected. This photo shows the impact Floris has had. We’ve now restored power to 50k homes; work's ongoing now to restore supplies to 22k more https://t.co/HSBcM400Fh pic.twitter.com/AuilY4jNjp
— Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (@ssencommunity) August 5, 2025
The company said: “Now the winds have died down and moved into the North Sea, it’s become safer for our field teams to get to faults on the network, although strong gusts are still forecast for today, and we’ll be monitoring the forecast closely.
“Our teams worked for as long as the light permitted last night, and were deployed again early this morning, with the support of helicopters to assess the network from above.”
It added: “This has been a particularly damaging storm, and we’ll be working hard to reconnect customers as safely and quickly as we can – but it will take time.”
The company said it had organised meal provision in some of the affected communities.
SSEN is the network operator for the north of Scotland.
All warnings expired
08:21
,
Athena Stavrou
All weather warnings have now expired after Storm Floris hit the UK.
The last warning in place, a yellow wind alert for Orkney, expired at 8am.
It came after amber and yellow wind warnings across much of Scotland, northern England, northern Ireland and northern Wales were lifted at 12am.
Winds over 100mph recorded
08:07
,
Athena Stavrou
Winds of over 100mph were recorded on Monday as Storm Floris swept across the country.
Gusts of 134mph were recorded on the summit of Cairngorm in the Scottish Highlands.
On lower ground, gusts of 82mph at Wick airport in Scotland were recorded with speeds in excess of 70mph records in various parts of the country.
Storm Floris described as ‘most damaging summer storm in recent memory’
07:53
,
Athena Stavrou
Storm Floris has been described as the “most damaging summer storm in recent memory” after it triggered mass power cuts and travel cancellations on Monday.
The storm left more than 40,000 homes in Scotland without power, with the Scottish & Southern Electricity Network (SSEN) calling the storm the most damaging summer storm “in recent memory.”
Storm Floris has been the most-damaging summer storm in recent memory, and it’s having a big impact on our Scottish network. While we fix faults, we're organising meal provision in affected communities. Locations will be updated on our social channels.
— Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (@ssencommunity) August 4, 2025
What disruption is expected today?
07:32
,
Athena Stavrou
More travel disruption is expected in the aftermath of Storm Floris on Tuesday.
ScotRail said suspended routes would need to be checked before they could be reopened, with disruption expected until around 4pm on Tuesday.
Caledonian Sleeper Services were cancelled on Monday night while LNER said services north of Newcastle could be delayed or cancelled on Tuesday and TransPennine Express said no services will run north of Carlisle or Newcastle before 9am.
CalMac Ferries, which operates services on Scotland’s west coast, faced disruption on Tuesday while on the roads, Traffic Scotland said the Tyne Bridge and Forth Road Bridge had reopened overnight.
Further south, the A66 in Durham and Cumbria was closed to high-sided vehicles for several hours overnight between Scotch Corner and the M6 at Penrith due to high winds.
Storm has had 'severe impact' on railways
07:00
,
Alex Croft
The storm has also had a “severe impact” on railways, with a number of services cancelled and speed limits put in place on Monday and Tuesday
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 onto overhead lines at King’s Park in Glasgow, Cornton near Stirling and near Paisley, and damage to overhead wires in the Hamilton Circle area.
Flying debris from gardens interfered with overhead wires causing many train routes to be shut down, including Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh.
“We get all sorts of strange items blown onto tracks during very windy weather.,” Network Rail posted on X with an angry face emoji.
“Here's a garden gazebo - complete with lights - on the railway in #Huyton, Merseyside. Always tie down large items if you live near the railway - they can disrupt train services.”
We get all sorts of strange items blown onto tracks during very windy weather.
— Network Rail (@networkrail) August 4, 2025
Here's a garden gazebo - complete with lights - on the railway in #Huyton, Merseyside.
Always tie down large items if you live near the railway - they can disrupt train services.#StormFloris pic.twitter.com/UJjpi1oI9K
Mixed weather predicted in next five days
06:00
,
Alex Croft
With Storm Floris moving eastwards into Tuesday, what can the UK expect in the coming week?
Here is what the Met Office says...
Tuesday:
A mix of sunshine and showers, with the showers mainly across northern and central areas, where a few heavy showers are possible. Less windy than today, but still blustery.
Wednesday to Friday:
Drier and warmer on Wednesday with lighter winds. Generally cloudier again on Thursday with outbreaks of rain for some. Showers continuing in the north on Friday.
Storm damage is 'extensive', says ScotRail
05:01
,
Alex Croft
Damage by Storm Floris on railways in Scotland is “extensive”, ScotRail has said.
Work will soon begin to recover a number of routes which have been put out of action.
“The damage caused by the storm has been extensive, including trees falling onto overhead wires and tracks,” ScotRail said on X.
“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.”
EasyJet 900-mile 'flight to nowhere' as pilots abandon landing at Inverness
04:01
,
Alex Croft
Our travel correspondent Simon Calder has reported that a pilot was forced to abandon a landing in Scotland.
An easyJet flight from Luton to Inverness flew 900 miles on an “flight to nowhere”.
Flight 632 took off from the Bedfordshire airport just before 12 noon and flew normally at 36,000 feet to the Scottish airport. But at just 2,000 feet above the ground, the pilots of the Airbus A319 decided to abandon the landing, and flew back to Luton. After a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes in the air, the plane touched down back at its starting place.
Passengers were told: “Strong winds in Inverness are preventing aircraft from arriving and departing. The safety of you and our crew is our highest priority and we thank you for your understanding.”
Under air passengers’ rights rules, travellers must be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline.
The aviation data analyst, Cirium, has confirmed research by The Independent that Belfast City and Aberdeen are the airports worst affected by Storm Floris.
At Belfast City, 10 departures and 11 arrivals have been grounded. At Aberdeen, 12 departures have been cancelled – but only six arrivals are axed.
In pictures: Heavy winds wreak havoc in Edinburgh
03:02
,
Alex Croft
Campervans have been blown over on A87 road on Isle of Skye
01:29
,
Alex Croft
A number of campervans earlier blew over on the A87 road, which leads to Portree on the Isle of Skye, as Storm Floris hit Scotland.
Police are advising drivers to stay away from the Bealach na Ba road in Wester Ross due to the high rinds.
Police Scotland said: “We have received multiple reports of campervans being blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree due to high winds caused by Storm Floris.
“We are advising motorists not to travel on the Bealach na Ba road and anyone with campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until the wind speed reduces.”
Travellers face 'nine cancellations'
Tuesday 5 August 2025 00:01
,
Alex Croft
Passengers stuck at Glasgow Central train station are facing hours of disruption and as many as nine cancellations, they told the PA news agency.
Robert Kusz, 70, and Paul Audoire, 59, had enjoyed a caravan holiday with relatives when they were delayed at Glasgow Central.
Their previous plan was to travel to Preston and change to Blackpool.
Mr Kusz told the PA news agency: “There has been about nine cancellations.
“If we can get connecting trains we could get to Blackpool by 4.30pm.
“It will add a couple of hours to the journey, maybe two-and-a-half hours.”
Mr Audoire said: “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.”
Mapped: Rain largely clears from UK on Tuesday as Storm Floris moves east
Monday 4 August 2025 23:14
,
Alex Croft
More than 43,000 homes without power in Scotland
Monday 4 August 2025 22:17
,
Alex Croft
More than 43,000 homes in Scotland were out of supply as of earlier this evening, according to the lates update from Scottish & Southern Electricity Network (SSEN).
At around 7pm, 9,000 homes had been reconnected.
Students will see exam results delayed due to storm
Monday 4 August 2025 22:06
,
Alex Croft
There will be delays to the delivery of some exam results in island communities as a result of Storm Floris, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has said.
With results due on Tuesday, the SQA said deliveries to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland will be delayed due to the adverse weather.
The SQA said students should contact their school or college in the first instance who should be able to help them.
Mapped: Yellow wind warning to come into force on Tuesday
Monday 4 August 2025 21:57
,
Alex Croft
The only remaining weather warning due to Storm Floris is a yellow wind warning in Orkney, which will be in place from 12am to 8am on Tuesday.
“Very strong northwesterly winds, including gusts of 50 to 70 mph, in the wake of Storm Floris will ease across Orkney early on Tuesday and then slowly wane a little over Shetland during Tuesday morning,” the Met Office said.
It warns of potential travel delays and power losses in the affected region.
Network Rail expresses anger after debris blown onto tracks
Monday 4 August 2025 21:45
,
Alex Croft
Network Rail has expressed its frustration after a variety of different items blew onto its tracks across the UK, causing major disruption to travel in the UK.
The rail operator had earlier advised all people in the warning area to ensure they secured all garden furniture including trampolines, tarpaulin sheets and gazebos.
“We get all sorts of strange items blown onto tracks during very windy weather,” Network Rail posted at the end of Monday, with an angry face emoji.
“Here's a garden gazebo - complete with lights - on the railway in Huyton, Merseyside. Always tie down large items if you live near the railway - they can disrupt train services.”
We get all sorts of strange items blown onto tracks during very windy weather.
— Network Rail (@networkrail) August 4, 2025
Here's a garden gazebo - complete with lights - on the railway in #Huyton, Merseyside.
Always tie down large items if you live near the railway - they can disrupt train services.#StormFloris pic.twitter.com/UJjpi1oI9K
Mixed weather predicted in next five days
Monday 4 August 2025 21:14
,
Alex Croft
With Storm Floris set to move eastwards going into Tuesday, what can the UK expect in the coming week?
Here is what the Met Office says...
This evening and tonight:
Any rain becoming slowly confined to Shetland this evening, leaving clear spells for many, with showers in the north. Remaining windy, especially in the north, but as Storm Floris begins to move away winds will start to ease later
Tuesday:
A mix of sunshine and showers, with the showers mainly across northern and central areas, where a few heavy showers are possible. Less windy than today, but still blustery.
Outlook for Wednesday to Friday:
Drier and warmer on Wednesday with lighter winds. Generally cloudier again on Thursday with outbreaks of rain for some. Showers continuing in the north on Friday.
In pictures: Beachgoers smothered in sand blown by heavy winds
Monday 4 August 2025 20:43
,
Alex Croft
What will come after Storm Floris?
Monday 4 August 2025 20:13
,
Alex Croft
Storm Floris will move northeast late on Monday going into Tuesday, the Met Office said.
This will leave behind a “breezy day for many in the north on Tuesday, with further showers over northern and some central and eastern parts of the UK”, it said.
The forecaster added: “Further south, conditions will be drier and sunnier.
“However, later this week there is a signal for further unsettled weather, with some strong winds and heavy rain late on Wednesday and into Thursday, particularly over Scotland.
“Further details will be available as we move through the week.”
Watch: Plane struggles to land as Storm Floris batters UK
Monday 4 August 2025 19:47
,
Alex Croft
Storm Floris: What will it mean for your travel plans?
Monday 4 August 2025 19:27
,
Alex Croft
With Storm Floris predicted to bring winds of up to 90mph to parts of the northern UK, travellers are being urged to postpone their journeys.
An amber Met Office warning for high wind is in place across much of Scotland. It covers the whole country north of Kilmarnock, Peebles and Berwick upon Tweed, except for Shetland – where a Met Office yellow weather warning is in place.
A yellow warning also applies to southern Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England and North Wales. The southern extent is a line stretching from Scarborough to Snowdonia, and taking in Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool.
The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder reports:
Glasgow-Edinburgh trains cancelled after sheet snags on overhead wires
Monday 4 August 2025 19:06
,
Alex Croft
Glasgow Queen Street to Edinburgh train has been cancelled due to a polythene sheet becoming caught on the overhead lines.
“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,” Network Rail Scotland said.
“Trains heading towards Glasgow can pass with caution. Staff on site inspecting the issue.”
Secure down your garden equipment, urge rail operators
Monday 4 August 2025 18:45
,
Alex Croft
ScotRail is urging residents in areas affected by weather warnings to secure down their garden equipment.
This includes trampolines, tents, light furniture, and anything else which may be caught by the wind.
The precaution is so that they “don't blow onto the tracks and interfere with lineside equipment” - a problem which has already caused significant disruption on a number of rail lines.
Rail disruption to continue into Tuesday, Network Rail says
Monday 4 August 2025 18:30
,
Alex Croft
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.”
Travellers suffer cancellations at the hands of Storm Floris
Monday 4 August 2025 18:16
,
Alex Croft
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.”
Storm Floris map shows where heavy rain and up to 90mph winds hit the UK
Monday 4 August 2025 18:05
,
Alex Croft
An amber weather warning remains in force on Monday as Storm Floris continues to bring chaos to the UK, causing thousands of households to lose power.
Dozens of trains have been cancelled after the Met Office recorded a peak wind speeds of 79mph in the Scottish island of South Uist.
A large amber warning for wind covering most of Scotland will remain in place until 11pm, with the Met Office warning of a “danger to life” due to flying debris, travel chaos, and power cuts.
Read more here:
Storm damage is 'extensive', says ScotRail
Monday 4 August 2025 17:51
,
Alex Croft
Damage by Storm Floris on railways in Scotland is “extensive”, ScotRail has said.
Work will soon begin to recover a number of routes which have been put out of action.
“The damage caused by the storm has been extensive, including trees falling onto overhead wires and tracks,” ScotRail said on X.
“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.”
In pictures: Waves batter esplanade in Scotland
Monday 4 August 2025 17:37
,
Alex Croft
Storm has had 'severe impact' on railways
Monday 4 August 2025 17:12
,
Alex Croft
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 onto 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.
Top wind gusts recorded in Kinloss and South Uist
Monday 4 August 2025 17:01
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Today’s top wind gust speeds have been recorded in Kinloss and South Uist, according to the Met Office.
Meteorologists have said winds reached 79mph in both areas, with the Tain Range experiencing gusts of 78mph.
Here are the top wind gusts we have recorded so far today in association with Storm Floris
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 4, 2025
Northern Ireland has equaled it's August record of 66mph at Orlock Head pic.twitter.com/gjcBQ7rq19
Cows on the loose in Carfin
Monday 4 August 2025 16:51
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
A number of cows are on the loose in Carfin, South Lanarkshire this afternoon after a fence blew down in the wind.
Heavy rain and strong wind will remain into evening in Scotland
Monday 4 August 2025 16:29
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Stormy weather will continue into the evening in Scotland, the Met Office has warned.
Elsewhere, showers will begin to clear with sunshine forecast before the sun goes down.
Rain clearing southeast England this evening, with heavy rain and showers across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northwest England
— Met Office (@metoffice) August 4, 2025
Elsewhere dry with sunshine ahead of dusk
Very windy with warnings in place, stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/ZO9UQPB7C1
More than 22,000 homes without power in Scotland
Monday 4 August 2025 16:19
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
More than 22,000 properties are without electricity in the Highlands and north-east of Scotland this afternoon.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said it is working to restore power to 22,500 properties while more are expected to be impacted later in the day as the storm continues to move east.
They added they have hundreds of extra staff working but it may not be able to reconnect everyone by the end of the day.
SSEN’s director of customer operations Andy Smith said: “Storm Floris is the strongest summer storm we’ve seen in a very long time and it’s causing significant disruption to power supplies today.
“At the height of summer, we’ve mounted an operation that’s comparable in size to the ones we mobilise when a storm hits during the depths of winter, but the sustained nature of these damaging winds means some affected customers may be without power overnight.”
He added: “Remember – you can report faults to us by calling 105 at any time, or via the Power Track website or app.
“And please – if you come across any network damage, stay well back and inform us immediately.”
EasyJet 900-mile 'flight to nowhere' as pilots abandon landing at Inverness
Monday 4 August 2025 15:55
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
Our travel correspondent Simon Calder has reported that a pilot was forced to abandon a landing in Scotland.
An easyJet flight from Luton to Inverness flew 900 miles on an “flight to nowhere”.
Flight 632 took off from the Bedfordshire airport just before 12 noon and flew normally at 36,000 feet to the Scottish airport. But at just 2,000 feet above the ground, the pilots of the Airbus A319 decided to abandon the landing, and flew back to Luton. After a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes in the air, the plane touched down back at its starting place.
Passengers were told: “Strong winds in Inverness are preventing aircraft from arriving and departing. The safety of you and our crew is our highest priority and we thank you for your understanding.”
Under air passengers’ rights rules, travellers must be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline.
The aviation data analyst, Cirium, has confirmed research by The Independent that Belfast City and Aberdeen are the airports worst affected by Storm Floris.
At Belfast City, 10 departures and 11 arrivals have been grounded. At Aberdeen, 12 departures have been cancelled – but only six arrivals are axed.
Students will see exam results delayed due to storm
Monday 4 August 2025 15:48
,
Nicole Wootton-Cane
There will be delays to the delivery of some exam results in island communities as a result of Storm Floris, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has said.
With results due on Tuesday, the SQA said deliveries to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland will be delayed due to the adverse weather.
The SQA said students should c
