Storm Boelo led to the total cancellation of all flights at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports on Monday, 26 October 2026, grounding over 100 flights across the UK. The storm brought high winds with gusts reaching up to 85 mph, heavily impacting London’s air travel, particularly Heathrow’s short-haul flight network.
Gatwick officials warned passengers not to travel without first confirming their flight status due to hazardous wind conditions. The storm’s outer bands reduced air traffic control spacing into London, escalating cancellations beyond the capital’s airports.
Flood and Wind Warnings Across Northern UK
The Met Office issued multiple amber wind warnings covering Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland, and
northern England, with a wider yellow wind warning in place until 9pm on Sunday, 25 October 2026. The wind warning for Northern Ireland was lifted midday Sunday. Flood warnings accompanied these advisories, emphasizing risks from flooding and storm damage.
The Environment Agency reported five flood warnings and 33 flood alerts in northern England as of 11am on Sunday. Simultaneously, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued 34 flood warnings and 11 flood alerts. These warnings highlighted dangers posed by persistent heavy rainfall amid strong winds.
Transport Disruptions Beyond Aviation
Network Rail Scotland experienced flooding on platforms and fallen trees blocking rail lines in Glasgow, leading
to speed restrictions and closures on several rail sections. Network Rail warned about unsecured outdoor furniture being dislodged by gales, submitting images of garden items found near railway tracks.
Road closures were widespread across Scotland, caused by collapsed trees, downed cables, and storm-damaged surfaces. These conditions severely affected travel on major routes, compounding delays caused by rail and air disruptions.
Event Cancellations and Safety Measures
The storm forced the cancellation of major London weekend events, including Diwali and Trafalgar Square celebrations. Independent health and safety experts advised the Greater London Authority that heavy gales and ongoing downpours on Saturday, 24 October, made it unsafe to
erect festival staging, resulting in last-minute event cancellations.
Storm Boelo is the second named storm of the 2026 season, following Storm Austen which hit the UK from 23 to 25 October, bringing gusts up to 76 mph at St Mary’s Airport in the Isles of Scilly. The continuing severe weather from Boelo has created life-threatening conditions from flying debris and flooding.
