All flights at Heathrow and Gatwick airports were cancelled on October 25, 2026, due to severe weather from Storm Boelo, halting operations at two of the UK’s busiest airports.
Flight delays and cancellations extended beyond London, impacting Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin, and Leeds Bradford airports, with more than 1,500 flights delayed across the UK on the same day.
The Met Office issued amber wind warnings valid until 9 pm, predicting gusts exceeding 80 mph in exposed coastal regions and 60 to 70 mph gusts in inland amber warning zones. Recorded gusts included 76 mph at St Mary’s Airport in the
Isles of Scilly, 74 mph at Aberporth in South Wales, and 71 mph at Culdrose in Cornwall.
Rail and Ferry Services Disrupted
Rail operators faced widespread interruptions from flooding and fallen trees, with Network Rail Scotland reporting flooding on platforms and tree obstructions on tracks, leading to speed restrictions across Scotland. Avanti West Coast strongly advised passengers not to travel north of Preston on October 25, while TransPennine Express urged customers to make only essential journeys over the weekend.
Ferry services were also cancelled due to rough seas generated by Storm Boelo, cutting alternate travel options for disrupted air passengers.
Road Closures and Flood Warnings Across the UK
Major roads in Scotland were
closed due to collapsed trees, downed cables, and damaged road surfaces caused by strong winds and flooding. The Environment Agency issued 66 flood alerts and 10 flood warnings across England, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 34 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts on October 25.
Flood alerts affected numerous communities, complicating emergency response and infrastructure restoration efforts amid hazardous travel conditions.
Official Advisories and Event Cancellations
Gatwick Airport officials urged passengers not to travel without first checking their flight status due to dangerous wind conditions. The Met Office cautioned that severe gusts could create hazards from flying debris and falling branches.
The Greater
London Authority cancelled London’s annual Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square after independent health and safety assessments deemed the setup unsafe amid heavy gales and persistent rain.
Wider Weather Context and Transport Impact
Storm Boelo followed Storm Austen, which struck southwest England on October 23-24, leaving lingering vulnerabilities in infrastructure. The back-to-back storms stressed UK transport networks, causing extensive flight cancellations at major airports and disruptions across rail, sea, and road transport on October 25.
Travelers continuing their journeys on this date encountered limited alternatives as multi-modal networks faced simultaneous disruption, highlighting infrastructure vulnerability to consecutive severe weather events.
