Storm Floris is set to bring 85mph winds and “danger to life” to the UK on Monday. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for winds for parts of the country for 24 hours from Monday morning (August 4).
The storm will bring “unusually windy weather” while the warning is in place from 6am Monday morning until 6am on Tuesday. There may be gusts of up to 85mph along Scottish coastlines and hills, as well as reaching up to 70mph along other coasts and high ground.
Damage to buildings and power cuts are a possibility, with flying debris posing a threat to life in the areas covered by the warning, including the north of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of northwest Wales.
Forecasters have also warned that the storm could affect travel, such as through cancellations to road, rail, air and ferry services. Roads and bridges may also be forced to close during the worst of the storm.
Matthew Lehnert is a Met Office Chief Meteorologist. He said: “Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40-50mph, with 60-70mph 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.”
As Storm Floris moves across the northern half of the UK, winds will first begin to ease in the west on late Monday but remain very strong until early Tuesday in the east of the warning area.
How will the storm affect London?
London is unlikely to be the worst affected by Storm Floris, with northern parts of the UK to see the worst of the disruption. Sunday will see rain creep in during the early afternoon, from around 4pm, although temperatures will stay at around 22C.
But on Monday, there will also be elevated winds, with gusts of around 30mph predicted at 1pm on Monday, which while considered stronger than usual, are unlikely to pose any danger to life or properties. And then it could get pretty sunny and warm thereafter.
The Met Office said: “Storm Floris will bring further rain and some strong winds from the west on Monday [to London]. Thereafter the weather will become more settled, with some warm sunshine and lighter winds.”
Forecast for London
Sunday 3rd August
Max 23°C / Min 15°C
Cloud will gradually build, becoming overcast with spells of rain moving in from the west by the afternoon. Rain may turn heavy at times, with a chance of thunderstorms. Breezy and humid throughout the day.
Monday 4th August
Max 23°C / Min 13°C
Storm Floris brings a wet and windy start with spells of rain moving in from the northwest. Some rain may be persistent. Winds will be strong, particularly in exposed areas. Skies should clear by evening.
Tuesday 5th August
Max 23°C / Min 11°C
A mostly dry day with sunny spells and patchy cloud. A few isolated showers possible. Winds remain brisk, making it feel cooler than recent days.
Wednesday 6th August
Max 23°C / Min 14°C
Dry with hazy sunshine for much of the day. Cloud may increase in the evening. Winds easing.
Thursday 7th August
Max 25°C / Min 15°C
A warm, dry and sunny day with light winds. High pressure keeps conditions settled.
Friday 8th August
Max 25°C / Min 13°C
Another dry day with plenty of sunshine. Light winds and warm temperatures.
Saturday 9th August
Max 25°C / Min 14°C
Sunny, settled and dry. High pressure remains dominant with little change expected.
Outlook: Sunday 10th – Friday 15th August
High pressure likely to continue into next week bringing mostly dry and sunny weather for the south and east, including London. Temperatures may rise above average toward mid-month. Some brief unsettled spells possible later, particularly in northern and western areas.
How unusual are Summer storms?
Summer storms are more common than people may first think. There have been several over the last few years including Lilian (August 2024), Antoni (August 2023), Betty (August 2023), Ellen (August 2020) and Francis (August 2020).
There have also been storms in late July, including Storm Evert in 2021. So, while it’s more likely to see named storms in colder months, they do still occur during the Summer time as well.
Naming a storm when it is likely to have medium to high impact can help the public to understand the severity of the weather and take action. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024/2025 season, following Storm Éowyn in January.
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