Record winds hit Northern Ireland, as Storm Floris lashes United Kingdom
Storm Floris struck the United Kingdom on August 4, 2025, undergoing explosive cyclogenesis and producing widespread wind damage, power outages, and travel disruption. The system reached bomb cyclone status after its central pressure dropped 24 hPa in 24 hours, with peak gusts of 129 km/h (80 mph) recorded around Moray Firth and 106 km/h (66 mph) at Orlock Head — tying Northern Ireland’s August wind record set in 1989.
Satellite image of Storm Floris at 17:40 UTC on August 4, 2025. Credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
Storm Floris struck parts of the United Kingdom on August 4 with winds exceeding 129 km/h (80 mph), marking the strongest winds in Northern Ireland since 1989.
Winds reached 106 km/h (66 mph) at Orlock Head, located between Bangor and Donaghadee on the northern coast of County Down. The Met Office confirmed this tied the record for the strongest August gust in Northern Ireland, originally set in 1989.
As of 17:17 UTC on August 4, the strongest winds across the British Isles were recorded around the Moray Firth, reaching approximately 129 km/h (80 mph).
A total of 10 flights were cancelled at Belfast City Airport, making it the second most affected facility in the United Kingdom after Aberdeen Airport, where wind gusts reached approximately 132 km/h (82 mph), provisionally breaking Scotland’s August wind record.
Amber and Yellow weather warnings remain in effect across the British Isles. Severe flood warnings were issued for the River Strath Oykel in northern Scotland and the Churchill Barriers, four causeways in the Orkney Islands.
Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024–25 European windstorm season, which officially runs from September 2024 through August 2025.
A stunning view from space today as #StormFloris swirls over the UK and Ireland pic.twitter.com/O6hsguDRVl
— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) August 4, 2025
The storm underwent explosive cyclogenesis, with its central pressure falling by 24 hPa within 24 hours — qualifying it as a bomb cyclone, also known as a “weather bomb.”
Strong winds caused widespread damage, toppling trees, fences, power lines, and damaging multiple structures across the country.
It’s blowing a hoolie here on the Oykel thanks to #StormFloris pic.twitter.com/DCkqGvh98M
— Anne Neilson (@balgowan747) August 4, 2025
Power was restored for approximately 9 000 customers in Scotland by 17:58 UTC; however, 43 536 customers remained without power, according to Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
“Highest recorded winds for the month of August registered in Ireland” would be a much more measured and professional title
by narrowing the temporal or spacial frame the watchers brakes a climate record everyday and contributes to climate fear and alarmism. No, a wind record for the month of August(the less windy of the year) will not be titled “Record winds hit Ireland” by anyone with no intention to fear-monguer