Storm Floris smashes records and signals an early start to storm season 

When Storm Floris hit, it battered parts of central and northern Scotland, causing the kind of problems normally seen on an autumn or winter’s day. Met Office data showed a gust of 134mph was recorded at the summit of Cairn Gorm in the Highlands, 1,245 metres above sea level. What made it particularly striking was its timing, an intense weather event in the middle of summer, catching many people off guard. 

Floris was the UK’s sixth named storm of the 2024–25 season and the first since Storm Éowyn in January. It now stands as the strongest named storm ever recorded in August.

Since the UK began naming storms in 2015, only five have occurred in August. Met Office forecaster Peter Sloss told BBC Radio Scotland the storm marked "uncharted territory". 

Storm Floris highlights a growing truth: extreme weather doesn’t follow seasonal patterns anymore. The traditional “storm season” is shifting, and events like Floris expose gaps in how businesses, insurers, and local authorities approach resilience. 

As businesses and local authorities face increasingly frequent and unpredictable weather events, there is growing consensus that resilience planning can no longer be seasonal. Preparedness must become a year-round priority, supported by real-time forecasting and early warning systems that enable faster, more effective responses. The storm may have passed, but the need for clear, consistent planning and communication is more important than ever.