The Great Storm of 1987: Britain’s October weather record

History & Heritage Desk 2026-10-22 09:09 3 min read

Powerful waves crashing against a coastal concrete wall and lighthouse in England.

The Met Office’s chronology places the Great Storm on 15–16 October 1987, a major windstorm that affected Britain and became a lasting reference point in discussions of weather forecasting and public warnings. Its record helps explain why forecasts and preparedness guidance matter; it does not predict today’s weather or measure current climate risk. The next useful check is always the latest local forecast and official warning.

15–16 October 1987: how the storm unfolded

The Met Office case study documents the storm’s meteorological context and chronology across 15 and 16 October. Those dates are central to the historical account: this was a particular weather event, not a description of every October storm or a recurring annual pattern.

The storm is often remembered for its effects across the United Kingdom and for the questions it raised about forecasting. Reading the chronology carefully keeps those two parts connected: what the weather did at the time, and how forecasters and the public could respond to severe conditions.

Forecasts and warnings became part of the story

The Great Storm is frequently discussed in connection with the limits of forecasting and the communication of warnings. The Met Office’s case study is the appropriate place to check the chronology and meteorological context; broad claims about exactly what was forecast, when a warning was issued, or what every member of the public was told should be tied to specific evidence in that record.

The enduring lesson is practical. A forecast describes expected conditions, while a warning signals that hazardous weather may affect people and places. Neither removes uncertainty, but both give people and organisations time to make decisions—especially when they are followed by local guidance and updated information.

The storm’s broad impact and why preparedness matters

The Great Storm is remembered as a significant event in British weather history because of its effects and the public attention it brought to severe wind. For an individual household, preparedness can mean knowing where to find official forecasts, understanding warning messages, and considering how strong winds could affect travel, outdoor plans, or loose objects around a property.

The Great Storm of 1987: Britain’s October weather record

Useful steps during any present-day severe-weather situation include:

Check the latest forecast and warnings for the area where you will be.
Follow the advice attached to a warning and check for updates as conditions change.
Allow extra time for journeys and consider whether exposed routes or outdoor activities are appropriate.
Secure loose items outdoors when official guidance indicates strong winds are expected.

These are general preparedness measures, not a claim that the conditions of 1987 are happening again. Current decisions should be based on current forecasts and warnings for the relevant location.

What the 1987 record cannot tell us about today

A historical storm provides context, but it cannot forecast a present-day event. The Great Storm’s date, impacts and place in the Met Office chronology do not establish that a similar storm is imminent, nor do they by themselves quantify current climate risk. Assessing those questions requires contemporary observations and appropriate climate or weather analysis.

The distinction matters because a vivid historical example can be useful without serving as a direct comparison for today. The Met Office case study records a past event; the latest official forecast and warning pages describe present conditions and expected hazards.

The next check is today’s local forecast

The next relevant milestone for anyone making plans is the current forecast and any warning for their area—not an anniversary of the 1987 storm. Check official updates before travel or outdoor activity, and follow local advice if a warning is in force. The historical record explains why that routine matters; current conditions determine what action is needed.

Source: Met Office

Context & actions About this article

Source check Historical context

This article uses the Met Office case study for the storm’s historical chronology and distinguishes that account from present-day weather or climate claims.

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