by Storm Floris has brought travel disruption to the UK, with an amber weather warning set to come into force.
Some train and ferry services have already been cancelled with more likely to be impacted, including air and road transport.
High winds could pose a “danger to life”, with most of Scotland facing an amber weather warning, which will kick in at 10:00 BST and last through to 22:00.
There is also a yellow warning across northern England, north Wales and Northern Ireland from 06:00 BST through to midnight.
The Met Office has predicted damage to buildings, coastlines and trees due to storm conditions.
Gusts of 50 to 70mph (80 to 113 km/h) are expected for many parts of Scotland, and they could reach 80 to 90mph on some exposed coasts, hills and bridges.
The warnings come on Scotland’s summer bank holiday. Events, including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance and shows at Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick, were cancelled on Monday due to the weather.
The yellow warning area includes Yorkshire and Humber, north Wales, North West England, North East England, Northern Ireland and all of Scotland, including Orkney and the Shetland Islands.
Many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50mph with 60 to 70mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground.
Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024/25 season, and the first since January.
Train operator LNER warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday. It said those intending to travel on Monday could use their tickets until Wednesday.
Avanti West Coast advised passengers not to travel north of Preston on Monday, saying tickets would be accepted on Tuesday instead.
Network Rail said several lines in Scotland would be closed from noon on Monday, with all other routes experiencing a reduced timetable and longer journey times.
ScotRail spokesperson David Ross told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that speed restrictions had been issued across the whole of its network on Monday.
Scottish ferry operator CalMac has issued a series of cancellation warnings, with disruption to sailings across its network.
Meanwhile, motorists have been urged to slow down in poor weather and avoid exposed Highland and coastal routes.
Rod Dennis, from breakdown service RAC, said: “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.”
Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a meeting had been held on Friday to ensure Scotland was ready for the storm.
“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 added: “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.”
National Rail has warned journey delays and cancellations are possible.
Strong winds can also bring down trees that block tracks and damage power lines.
Jim Dale, a meteorologist and founder of independent forecaster British Weather Services, warned those in areas affected by the warnings: “If you are venturing out, keep away from the forest, keep away from the woods, keep off the coastal plain.”
Named storms
Named storms in August are not that rare, with five taking place since 2020.
Last year, Storm Lilian struck the UK on 23 August just before the bank holiday weekend, closing stages at the Leeds Festival and cancelling Heathrow flights.
Storms Antoni and Betty brought disruption in 2023, while storms Ellen and Francis in 2020 were described as “two of the most notable August storms in the last 50 years” by the Met Office.
These two storms brought wind gusts of 79mph and 81mph respectively with transport disruption, coastal flooding and power cuts.
The storm follows the UK’s fifth warmest July on record, according to provisional figures from the Met Office.
All four UK nations recorded one of their 10 warmest Julys, and July was the sixth consecutive month of above-average mean temperatures for the UK, the Met Office said.
The first day of the month brought the highest temperature of the year so far, with 35.8C in Faversham, Kent.
