Weather Storm Floris: UK Braced for Fierce 85mph Gusts as Summer Storm Rolls In
Storm Floris is poised to unleash chaos across large swathes of the UK early next week, with the Met Office warning of “unseasonably strong” winds reaching up to 85mph.
A rare summer weather warning has been issued as the sixth named storm of the 2024–25 season barrels toward the country. Scotland, Northern Ireland, north Wales, and parts of northern England are all in the firing line.
“Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50mph, with 60 to 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,” said Matthew Lehnert, Met Office chief meteorologist.
The yellow weather alert runs from 6am Monday through to 6am Tuesday, with severe gusts and heavy rain expected to cause disruption, particularly to road, rail and ferry transport. Coastal areas and hilltops are most at risk.
This isn’t your typical August forecast. “Unusually windy weather” is how the Met Office described what’s heading our way. It’s not unheard of for named storms to strike in summer, but it’s far from common.
What began as a band of heavy rain over the Great Lakes in the US has rapidly developed, now caught up in an energetic jet stream hurtling across the Atlantic. By Monday, that system will arrive over UK shores in full force as Storm Floris.
“There remains some uncertainty in the depth and track of Floris,” said the Met Office. “Winds will first ease in the west during later Monday but remain very strong overnight until early Tuesday in the east.”
The strongest impact is expected across western Scotland by Monday afternoon and evening. Inland gusts of 40–50mph will be widespread, while coastal spots and upland regions could see 70mph or more.
In a worst-case scenario, some exposed Scottish coastlines may face winds of 85mph, as highlighted in the Met Office’s latest warning on Storm Floris.
“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,” said RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis.
“This unseasonable bout of stormy weather will mean drivers in the north and west of the UK need to take extra care at the start of next week.”
Motorists are advised to slow down, reconsider their route if possible, and avoid exposed routes on high ground or near the coast.
This brewing storm comes on the back of a record-breaking summer. June was officially the UK’s hottest on record. July followed as the fifth warmest ever, with all four nations logging it in their top 10.
And yet, the last few weeks have brought erratic conditions, sudden flash floods, intense downpours, and wild swings in temperature.
A hosepipe ban remains in place in parts of the country after a scorching spring forced farmers to harvest crops early. Meanwhile, the Met Office has warned that further instability in the weather could continue into August.
For now, the weekend looks calm, mostly dry with sunshine expected on Saturday.
“A dry day with plenty of sunshine and generally small amounts of cloud,” the latest update said. “Feeling warm in the sunshine with light winds, though a little breezy in some coastal areas.”
But the brief calm will give way to chaos by Monday. Storm Floris is coming. And summer in the UK is about to take a turbulent turn.
