'Weather bomb' Storm Floris brings 124mph wind and rain as thousands left without power and travel thrown into chaos

Dozens of flights were grounded while major disruption to rail, road and ferry travel was triggered as winds reaching up to 124mph were recorded in the Scottish Highlands.

Services are likely to remain affected as the storm continues - with disruption expected to drag on through Tuesday.

Power lines were brought down and trees were dragged to the floor as the wind struck.

The weather has also seen Edinburgh Fringe events cancelled as an amber warning for wind was issued.

A meteorologist warned people in regions affected by the inclement weather to "watch their backs" as powerful winds struck.

The storm has been described as a "weather bomb" to LBC's Shelagh Fogarty by meteorologist Claire Nasir.

A yellow warning for wind for northern parts of the UK became active at 6am on Monday and will last until 6am on Tuesday.

LNER warned passengers not to travel further of Newcastle and Preston as the winds are expected to 'heavily impact' trains.

People in Scotland were told to secure trampolines and garden furniture as the storm gets stronger.

A number of power cuts have been reported in the North East of England bringing disruption to thousands.

Read more: 'Do not travel': Amber 'danger to life' warning issued and trains cancelled as Storm Floris hits UK

Read more: 'Danger to life' warning issued as Storm Floris closes in on UK bringing 'unseasonably strong' winds of 'up to 90mph'

On the Isle of Skye, a number of campervans have been blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree.

"We are advising motorists not to travel on the Bealach na Ba.

"Campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until wind speed reduces," Police Scotland said.

The organisers of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo announced the "difficult decision" to cancel Monday evening's performance due to the inclement conditions brought about by Storm Floris.

The world-famous music, marching, dance and fireworks extravaganza takes place in August each year on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle, and this year was scheduled to be held each day from August 1-23.

Network Rail Scotland said wind gusts reaching 90mph from Storm Floris disrupted train services.

A map shared on X showed areas with the highest wind speeds recorded, including one recording of 90mph.

The rail company said the west of Scotland had been particularly affected by disruption by 10am.

'Watch your backs!'

Jim Dale, founder of the British Weather Services, has described the storm as "serious" and "unusual" for the summer months.

"The yellow warning does expand down into northern England, north Wales, Northern Ireland.

"So it's still going to be gusty day - you're going to have to watch your back."

Around 10,000 homes in Ireland are without power after Storm Floris brought strong winds to the island.

Weather alerts remain in place on both sides of the border.

In Northern Ireland several flights have been cancelled and some public facilities closed and a small number of homes are without power.

Yellow weather warnings are in place in Northern Ireland and across several counties south of the border, although the island seems set to escape the worst of the storm.

What is a weather bomb?

According to the Met Office, a 'weather bomb' is an unofficial term for a low pressure system whose central pressure falls 24 millibars in 24 hours in a process known as explosive cyclogenesis.

Rapid acceleration of air caused by the jet stream high up in the atmosphere can remove air from the column, reducing its weight so causing pressure to fall at sea level.

This in turn sucks in air which converges from surrounding regions resulting in faster and faster rotation of the circulation,  in the same way that ice skaters spin faster by drawing their arms in.

The resulting winds peak over a period of a few hours and can be strong enough to bring down trees and cause structural damage.