A combination of factors including jet stream, pressure and thermal gradient all came together to produce rare UK summer wind speeds yesterday.

We had a tremendous sea level pressure gradient anomaly of -3 sigma within the cyclone off Scotland’s north shore and +2/3 sigma over Europe yesterday morning.

Visible satellite yesterday morning.

Wind events do occur in August and September, especially when enhanced energy from the tropics is involved. However, there was no such enhancement in what was an exceptionally windy day across the Northern British Isles.

While gusts screamed over Cairngorm Summit at 115 mph which would be respectable even in wintertime, we also witnessed a 17,000 ton oil rig run aground in the Western Isles.

It appears yesterday’s 115 mph gust recorded on top of 4,085ft Cairngorm Summit has set a new UK summertime wind record according to Stuart Brooks of the Met Office.

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Despite the winter strength winds across the North of Scotland, winds though unseasonably strong through the Central Lowlands yesterday weren’t the worst. Back in July 1988, Glasgow Airport recorded a wind gust of 68 mph where as yesterday it was between 40-50 mph.

Rail service between Glasgow-Oban and Dundee-Aberdeen were significantly affected due to trees toppling. Due to wind speed exceeding 50 mph, the Forth, Tay and Skye bridge had wind restrictions.

For the folks of wind swept Northern Britain, the below graphic proves that it was summer yesterday!

As that beastly low pulls away from mainland Britain, severe gales shall batter Orkney and Shetland as the backside core of strongest winds cross over.

Yellow wind warning remains in effect for Northern Isles today.

A blustery, cool day for all but expect winds to ease through the day and beneath clear skies and cooler, drier air in the wake of the system, tonight shall be chilly, especially in rural areas.

Tonight

A cool northwest air flow will keep the breeze and shower activity going Tuesday Wednesday before another system pushes across Scotland as it rides the northern flank of the Azores high. Should stay dry, bright and reasonably warm across the Southern UK.

See this morning’s video for a look at the rest of this week and beyond.

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