Storm Floris to batter Scotland with 85mph winds as Met Office issues yellow warning

Storm Floris has been named as the sixth storm of the season with Scotland set to be hit with 85mph winds.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning, coming into force from 6am on Monday until Tuesday at 6am.

The forecaster has said Scotland is likely to see the strongest winds with inland gusts of 60-70mph and 85mph along exposed Scottish coastlines and hills.

The warning covers the majority of Scotland, including the Central Belt, Aberdeenshire, Moray, the Highlands, Orkney and Shetland, South West Scotland, the Lothians and the Borders.

Storm Floris is the sixth storm of the 2024/25 season, which kicked off with Storm Ashley in October 2024.

The Met Office warned the storm will bring a spell of “unseasonably strong and potentially disruptive” winds to the country.

Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see westerly wind gusts of 40-50 mph with 60-70 mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground.

Forecasters said heavy rain may also contribute to disruption.

It warned that there is a risk of injuries and danger to life from flying debris during the warning.

Power cuts may also occur in affected areas, with potential impact on other services such as phone coverage.

Forecasters added that road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible

Although there is some uncertainty in the depth and track of the storm, forecasters warned Scotland is most likely to see the strongest winds.

Insight

Is Scotland about to be battered by an intense summer storm?

Sean Batty

STV Meteorologist Sean Batty said the storm could cause more disruption than if it were in autumn and winter.

“A storm like this in August could cause more disruption than it might in autumn or winter — simply because more people are travelling, and trees are in full leaf, which makes them more vulnerable to damage.

“Ferries could be affected, too,” he said.

“The last time we had a storm like this in August was in 2016, when winds across Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Edinburgh hit around 50mph.

“That storm was also responsible for the grounding of an oil rig on Dalmore Beach in the Isle of Lewis.”