Storm Floris Chaos: 124mph Winds Batter UK, Thousands Without Power
Storm Floris has unleashed chaos across parts of the UK, with ferocious winds peaking at a staggering 124mph in northern Scotland.
The tempest has torn through the country, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes, grounding dozens of flights, and prompting severe weather warnings that remain in force.
In what’s been one of the most violent weather events of the year, the Met Office confirmed the record-breaking gusts were recorded on Cairngorm Mountain, a notoriously wind-prone area in the Highlands. Earlier readings had clocked 122mph before climbing even higher.
It’s not just the Highlands feeling the impact. While lower-level regions are experiencing winds of up to 80 mph, the disruption is widespread.
Electricity has been knocked out in more than 32,000 homes, with emergency crews scrambling to restore supply amid treacherous conditions.
Flights have also taken a hit. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, at least 68 scheduled departures were cancelled today, roughly 2.2% of UK flights.
The worst-hit airports? Aberdeen and Belfast City, recording 12 and 10 cancellations respectively.
One particularly striking scene emerged from Leeds Bradford Airport, where a Jet2 plane was filmed battling through intense gusts during landing.
“It was a white-knuckle moment. You could see the aircraft fighting the wind on approach,” said an eyewitness.
In the north, people are being warned to stay alert as amber weather warnings remain in place across almost all of Scotland until 11pm tonight.
The Met Office warned: “There is potential danger to life and the risk of injuries, particularly in coastal areas.”
Yellow alerts cover a wider swathe of the country, stretching from Manchester and Liverpool to Northern Ireland and north Wales, all the way to northern Scotland.
Northern Ireland has also experienced intense rainfall and damaging winds, resulting in travel delays and power outages across several counties, particularly in areas already struggling with high winds and flooding concerns.
These are due to expire at midnight, although the Shetland and Orkney Islands will stay under alert until 8am tomorrow.
Despite the storm shifting eastward, its aftermath lingers. Damaged infrastructure, flight disruptions, and continued risk to coastal communities remain high on the radar.
