All flights at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports were cancelled on 25 October 2026 due to Storm Boelo, which brought wind gusts up to 85 mph. The severe conditions grounded more than 100 flights nationwide and heavily impacted short-haul routes at Heathrow.
Flight Disruptions at Heathrow and Gatwick
Heathrow experienced the most significant flight suspensions in London, with short-haul services severely disrupted. Gatwick Airport issued warnings advising passengers not to travel without confirming their flight status because of hazardous wind conditions. Air traffic control spacing was restricted across the South East, contributing to cascading cancellations and widespread air travel disruption in the capital.
Wider Impact Across Transport and Events
Storm Boelo caused
extensive disruption beyond air travel. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency reported 34 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts as of 11am in Scotland. The Environment Agency listed five flood warnings and 33 alerts in northern England at the same time. Network Rail Scotland implemented speed restrictions and closed several railway sections due to storm damage and flooding, sharing images of submerged tracks and fallen trees. Major roads in Scotland also faced closures from fallen trees, damaged surfaces, and cables.
London’s annual Diwali festival and the Square celebrations at Trafalgar Square, scheduled for Sunday, were cancelled after independent health and safety
experts advised the Greater London Authority that staging was unsafe due to heavy rain and gale-force winds.
Official Advisories and Safety Measures
Gatwick officials urged all passengers to check flight statuses before traveling amid high winds creating dangerous conditions. The Met Office issued an amber wind warning covering Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, and the far north of England, with a yellow wind warning extending through the South East of England until 9pm on 25 October. Public safety warnings included advice to remain indoors due to flying debris and crashing waves. Health and safety experts confirmed that the storm made large-scale event setup unsafe in
central London.
Background and Regional Weather Effects
Storm Boelo followed Storm Austen, which struck the UK on 23 October 2026, compounding travel disruptions. 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, Cornwall. The strongest winds hit northern parts of the UK, but the storm’s outer bands restricted flight operations into London airports. Flood warnings and alerts remain active across northern England and Scotland due to persistent heavy rainfall associated with the system.
