London, April 07, 2024, The Europe Today: Storm Kathleen has brought strong winds and record-breaking temperatures to the UK, resulting in significant disruptions to travel, particularly affecting air and sea transportation.
The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for wind, prompting the cancellation of approximately 140 flights departing and arriving at UK airports. Airports affected include Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Belfast City, with most cancellations impacting domestic and Irish routes. EasyJet flights to and from the Isle of Man were also halted due to the adverse weather conditions.
Rail and ferry services have also faced disruptions, notably in Scotland, where P&O Ferries cancelled services between Larne in Northern Ireland and Cairnryan in Scotland. Ferries to and from the Isle of Man were also disrupted.
The storm, named by the Irish Met Éireann as the 11th named storm in eight months, has primarily impacted regions in the north-west and south-west of England, as well as parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Wind gusts exceeding 70mph were recorded in various locations, with the summit of Cairngorm in the Scottish Highlands experiencing gusts of up to 101mph.
In addition to the disruptive winds, Storm Kathleen brought unseasonably warm temperatures, with eastern England reaching a high of 21.4°C (70.5°F), marking the warmest day of the year so far. Lakenheath, Suffolk, recorded the highest temperature, surpassing the previous high set in January.
The storm also caused power outages affecting around 12,000 customers in Ireland, where fallen trees and structural damage were reported. Part of the roof of the Titanic Belfast museum was damaged during the storm.
As Storm Kathleen continues to move across the region, the Met Office has indicated that conditions are expected to gradually improve by the evening of [date].
For updates on travel disruptions and storm-related developments, passengers are advised to check with their respective transport providers and monitor weather advisories from the Met Office and local authorities.
