Widespread travel disruption is gripping parts of the UK today as severe winds, with gusts reaching up to 70mph, prompt a Met Office yellow weather warning.
The alert, issued for Thursday, encompasses southern, central, eastern, and north-east Scotland, alongside northern England, with a separate warning also active for Northern Ireland. Forecasters anticipate widespread gusts of 50-55mph, while coastal regions and areas downwind of high ground could experience more extreme winds of 60mph, or even 70mph in isolated pockets.
Commuters and travellers face potential delays across road, rail, ferry, and air networks. Authorities have also cautioned about the possibility of short-term power outages and interruptions to other essential services.
In Scotland, ScotRail warned passengers that journeys may take a little longer as Network Rail Scotland has put speed restrictions in place on some routes due to adverse weather.
Yellow wind warnings are now in force across northern areas of the UK ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) March 12, 2026
Take care when travelling this morning as some disruption is possible
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/fgOedRruK9
Speed restrictions are in place on the West Highland Line, the Highland Main Line and the Far North and Kyle Lines.
Some Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services on Scotland’s west coast have been disrupted due to adverse weather.
In Aberdeenshire, the A90 was blocked in both directions at Fordoun due to a fallen power line, which was lying across both the north and southbound carriageways, Amey North East Trunk roads said.
The warning for Scotland and England is in place until 8pm on Thursday.
⚠️ Your journey may take a little longer today as @NetworkRailSCOT has put speed restrictions in place on these routes due to adverse weather.⤵️
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) March 12, 2026
🚆West Highland Line
🚆Highland Main Line
🚆Far North & Kyle Lines
Please check your journey on our app or at https://t.co/J1m2DnhAEG pic.twitter.com/4oNyQI7B9H
The Met Office said strong winds are expected on Thursday associated with an “active weather front moving southeastwards across the UK”.
It said that winds will ease from the north through the day.
In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning of wind is in place until midday on Thursday.
Forecasters said there could be gusts of between 40 and 50mph across much of Northern Ireland during Thursday morning.
There could be a short period of time when gusts of 50-60mph hit many areas, along with heavy rain, however winds will start to ease from the west later in the morning.
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