An amber weather warning has been issued for much of Scotland as Storm Floris sweeps across the country. The Met Office says the storm will bring “unseasonably strong and disruptive winds” on Monday, with gusts expected to reach up to 90 mph in some areas.
The amber warning is in effect from 10 am to 10 pm and covers a wide area of Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Highlands. Western coastal areas are forecast to be hit hardest during late morning and early afternoon. Later in the day, the strongest winds are expected to move to Aberdeenshire and other northeastern regions.
Officials are warning of significant risks. The Met Office and Scottish authorities say there could be damage to buildings, flying debris, and a “danger to life,” particularly along coastal zones.
Waves and beach material may be thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads, and houses. Power outages are possible, and heavy rain could lead to flooding in some areas. People are advised to secure loose items outside their homes and to avoid opening doors to prevent flying debris from entering houses.
Travel is likely to be heavily affected. Train operators like LNER and Avanti West Coast have told passengers not to travel north of Newcastle or Preston, warning of cancellations and long delays.
Some Scottish railway lines will close from midday. including the routes between Edinburgh and Fife, Perth and Dundee, and Aberdeen and Inverness. Ferry operator CalMac has already cancelled several services, and road closures are expected.
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop, urged everyone to check travel updates and avoid unnecessary journeys. She said, “Given the unusual timing and the fact some people will be on holiday, or perhaps check with operators, as we do expect rail, ferries, roads, and bridges to be disrupted on Monday across the country.”
The Multi-Agency Response Team will be active throughout the storm to monitor conditions and coordinate responses. Real-time updates will be given by Traffic Scotland, Police Scotland, and other agencies.
Chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert from the Met Office explained that inland areas could see gusts of 40-50 mph, with higher elevations and coasts likely to experience winds of 70 mph or more.
Exposed areas might even get the worst of the storm, with winds up to 85 mph or more. He added that the most intense winds are expected Monday afternoon and evening, but warned there is still more uncertainty about the storm’s exact path.
Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the current season and comes just six months after Storm Eowyn. Forecasters note that intense storms like this are unusual in August and may cause more disruption, as more people are likely to be travelling or outdoors on holiday.
