On October 25, 2026, all flights at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports were cancelled due to Storm Boelo. The severe weather forced a complete suspension of air traffic at the UK’s two major airports, heavily disrupting travel throughout the day.
Weather Conditions and Geographical Impact
Storm Boelo produced extreme weather conditions, including wind gusts reaching up to 85 mph across parts of Scotland and northern England. Record 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. The storm also caused widespread flood warnings in northern England and
Scotland.
Travel Disruptions and Passenger Advisories
Heathrow Airport, Europe’s busiest, was particularly affected, with cancellations concentrated in its short-haul services. Gatwick Airport officials warned passengers against traveling without first verifying their flight status due to hazardous high winds. The storm also led to the cancellation of London’s annual Diwali and Square celebrations at Trafalgar Square, as the Greater London Authority deemed staging setup unsafe amid heavy rain and gale-force winds.
Transport Disruptions Beyond Aviation
Following closely on the heels of Storm Austen, which hit on October 23, Storm Boelo caused further disruption to transport networks. Network Rail Scotland reported flooding at Glasgow railway stations, fallen trees obstructing lines, and
closures of several sections of the rail network. Major roads in Scotland were closed due to collapsed trees, downed cables, and surface damage, contributing to widespread travel challenges.
Official Weather and Flood Warnings
The Met Office issued an amber weather warning covering Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, and northern England, effective until 9 PM on October 25. The Environment Agency maintained five flood warnings and 33 flood alerts for northern England as of 11 AM. Similarly, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported 34 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts active across Scotland at the same time.
