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Storm Bram swept across the UK on Tuesday, bringing heavy rainfall, powerful winds and unusually warm December temperatures, leading to widespread disruption. Trains, flights and ferry services were cancelled, while thousands of homes across England and Wales were left without power.
A new amber wind warning, signalling a potential danger to life, came into effect in north-west Scotland at 16:00 GMT, with gusts expected to reach 90 mph (145 km/h). Yellow wind warnings remained active in several regions, though advisories were lifted for Northern Ireland, Wales and parts of England later in the day.
By midnight, the UK faced 59 active flood warnings—30 in England, 19 in Scotland and 10 in Wales—as unusually mild air pushed temperatures up to 16°C, far above the seasonal average.
In Scotland, several west-coast ferry routes were cancelled or delayed, and ScotRail shortened services in the north-west due to speed restrictions. Some schools also closed early in anticipation of worsening conditions.
Northern Ireland experienced severe travel delays, with dozens of flights cancelled and university campuses closing early. Wales saw similar challenges as the M48 Severn Bridge was shut due to high winds, while the alternative Prince of Wales Bridge also closed temporarily to remove unstable lamp-posts.
Flooding in South Wales and south-west England blocked several railway lines. In Totnes, homes were inundated as the River Dart overflowed after nearly a month’s worth of rain fell on Dartmoor within 48 hours.
Great Western Railway cancelled services across multiple routes, including:
Par – Newquay
Totnes – Plymouth
Swindon – Bristol Parkway
Storm Bram is the fourth named storm of the season, following Amy, Benjamin and Claudia. Despite the sequence break in alphabetical order, Meteorological agencies explained that naming depends on which country first expects significant impact.
Forecasters expect the storm to clear gradually by Wednesday, though lingering disruption is likely.
