Storm Kathleen has caused widespread disruption across the UK and Ireland, with dozens of flights cancelled and thousands left without power. The Met Office issued yellow wind warnings covering much of the country, while Saturday provisionally became the hottest day of the year, reaching 20.9°C in Santon Downham, Suffolk.
About 70 flights to and from UK airports were cancelled before midday on Saturday as the storm brought gusts of up to 70mph. The yellow warning covers north-west and south-west England, parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales from 8am to 10pm. A further yellow warning for north-west Scotland is in place on Sunday between 9am and 3pm.
In Ireland, an orange wind warning for Cork, Kerry, and Waterford was in effect until 2pm, with another for Galway and Mayo until 6pm. A nationwide yellow warning remains until 8pm. Power outages were concentrated in the south and west, with Met Éireann warning of difficult travel conditions, fallen trees, and coastal flooding.
Despite the strong winds, temperatures soared due to warm air from the continent. The Met Office's Ellie Glaisyer explained: 'The location of the storm is bringing a southerly wind across the UK, bringing those warmer temperatures.' Forecasts suggested highs of 22°C in East Anglia, surpassing the previous 2024 record of 19.9°C.
Glaisyer added that winds would remain strong into Sunday, particularly in northern Scotland, with unsettled weather expected next week. Storm Kathleen, named by Met Éireann, is the 11th named storm of the season and only the second time the letter K has been reached in a UK storm season.
