Storm Amy on the way, but how unusual is it?

As it approaches the UK, Amy is expected to bring a spell of very strong winds and heavy rain, particularly affecting northern and western regions. With weather warnings already in place and the potential for significant disruption, Storm Amy is set to make a notable impact on the UK’s weather landscape.

Storm Amy’s naming follows the Met Office’s storm naming protocol, which aims to improve public awareness and readiness for impactful weather events. By naming storms, the Met Office ensures that the public is better informed and can take appropriate action when severe weather is forecast. National Severe Weather Warnings are issued as confidence in the track and intensity of the system increases, and these warnings are updated as the situation evolves.

How Storm Amy developed

Storm Amy is a deep area of low pressure currently developing in the Atlantic. The system is expected to arrive in the UK from Friday 3 October into Saturday 4 October, bringing a period of very wet and very windy weather.

The development of Storm Amy has been influenced by a very active jet stream, which is driving unsettled weather across the north and west of the UK. The remnants of Hurricanes Humberto and Imelda have interacted with the jet stream, accelerating its flow and contributing to the rapid intensification of the low pressure that is Storm Amy. As the storm approaches, the jet stream’s position and strength are key factors in determining the track and severity of the weather that Amy will bring.

#StormAmy has been named and is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the UK later on Friday and into Saturday #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/x5RCePczbV

— Met Office (@metoffice) October 1, 2025

Forecast details and uncertainty

There remains some uncertainty regarding the exact track and intensity of Storm Amy. The Met Office is monitoring several forecast models, including the Met Office model, the European ECMWF, the American GFS, and the German ICON. These models show slight differences in the predicted path and depth of the low-pressure system, which means that the details of the strongest winds and heaviest rain may change as the storm approaches.

Despite this uncertainty, the consensus is that Storm Amy will bring a period of very strong winds and heavy rain to northern and western parts of the UK, with the greatest impacts expected from Friday afternoon into Saturday.

Weather warnings and expected impacts

The Met Office has issued an Amber warning for wind for northern and western parts of Scotland, which comes into force from 5pm on Friday and will be active until 9am on Saturday. The warning highlights a danger to life, the possibility of power cuts, travel disruption, and particularly dangerous conditions near coasts. Gusts in excess of 95 mph are possible within the Amber warning area, especially in western Scotland, with gusts around 60–70 mph expected more widely.

#StormAmy will bring disruption across the UK on Friday and Saturday ☔

Weather warnings have been updated and issued this morning, here are the details ⤵️

Find out more here: https://t.co/G8EJ9Fmb6Y ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/7OJUsXOO5l

— Met Office (@metoffice) October 2, 2025

Rainfall is an additional hazard, particularly over western Scotland, where totals could exceed 30–60 mm in 6–9 hours, increasing the risk of flooding. Wider Yellow warnings for wind and rain have also been issued in response to the approach of Storm Amy, with gusty winds around 60–70 mph possible, even for some exposed inland areas.

Disruption to transport and infrastructure

The Met Office warnings highlight the possibility for disruption to transport, power supplies, and outdoor activities, especially from Friday evening into Saturday. There is also the risk of power cuts, mobile phone outages, and damage to property, including loose roof tiles and flying debris. Trees could be blown down, and branches may be broken, posing additional hazards.

Martin Thomson from Transport Scotland said: “Storm Amy is set to bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of Scotland and we expect to see disruption to the transport network in the warning areas. The rain and wind will bring difficult driving conditions, such as reduced visibility and surface water, and are also likely to affect the ferry and rail networks, so it’s important to plan your journey ahead of time. Motorists should use the Traffic Scotland website before they set off to make sure that their route is available, and you should check with your operator if you are planning to travel on trains, ferries and flights.”

The meteorological evolution of Storm Amy

Storm Amy is expected to arrive as a deep area of low pressure, tracking close to northern parts of Scotland. The system is forecast to intensify rapidly as it crosses the jet stream, moving from the warmer southern side to the colder northern side. This transition is significant, as it leads to rapid deepening of the storm and an increase in wind strength.

As Amy approaches, tightly packed isobars indicate a strong pressure gradient, which translates to very strong winds. The storm is expected to continue deepening as it gets closer to the UK, which is important for two reasons: firstly, it means there is still some uncertainty about the exact intensity and track of the storm; secondly, it emphasises the potential for very windy weather, especially in northern and western regions.

READ MORE: Met Office deep dive: Autumn’s stormy spell and tropical influences

Rainfall and wind details

Heavy rain is expected to sweep through the UK as Storm Amy arrives, with persistent bands of rain affecting the northern two-thirds of the country. Further south, rain will be less intense but still present. Another band of rain is forecast to follow overnight into Saturday, bringing further wet weather to the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland.

Once the low-pressure centre clears away towards the northeast, a brisk north-westerly flow will bring plenty of showers, some of which could be heavy. The winds will remain strong and blustery, with the risk of damaging gusts continuing into Saturday.

How Storm Amy compares to previous UK storms

Storm Amy’s forecast wind gusts are notable when compared to previous UK storms at this time of year. Within the Amber warning area, gusts in excess of 95 mph are possible, with 60–70 mph expected more widely. For context, the following storms were named in past Octobers, shown with their maximum gust speeds:

• Storm Ashley (October 2024): 82 mph at Aberdaron, Gwynedd
• Storm Babet (October 2023): 77 mph at Inverbervie, Kincardineshire
• Storm Aiden (October 2020): 82 mph at Aultbea, Wester Ross
• Storm Callum (October 2018): 86 mph at Capel Curig, Snowdonia
• Storm Brian (October 2017): 85 mph at Needles, Isle of Wight
• Ex-Hurricane Ophelia (October 2017): 90 mph at Capel Curig, Snowdonia

The highest wind gust recorded in the UK in October is 124 mph recorded at Rhoose, South Glamorgan, on 28 October 1989. The highest gust speed recorded in Scotland in October is 106 mph recorded at Salsburgh, Lanarkshire, on 18 October 1984. Both of these events were before the Met Office started naming storms in 2015.

READ MORE: A look back at the 2024/25 storm season

Staying safe and informed

With Storm Amy set to bring disruptive weather to the UK, it is essential to stay up to date with the latest Met Office forecasts and warnings. As confidence in the track and intensity of the storm increases, warnings will be tweaked and amended, so regular updates are crucial. The Met Office website and app provide the most current information, including detailed forecasts and advice for affected areas.

If you are planning to travel or have outdoor activities scheduled from Friday into Saturday, consider adjusting your plans to account for the potential for severe weather. Motorists should check the Traffic Scotland website and consult with transport operators before setting out. Those living in areas covered by Amber or Yellow warnings should be prepared for possible power cuts, travel disruption, and damage to property.

Keep up to date with weather warnings, and you can find the latest forecast on our website, on YouTube, by following us on X and Facebook, as well as on our mobile app which is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from the Google Play store.