What was the Great Storm of 1987 and why it still matters
The Great Storm of 1987 was a severe extratropical cyclone that struck southern England and northern France on the night of 15–16 October 1987. It brought hurricane‑force winds to areas not previously recognised as prone to such events, downing an estimated 15 million trees across the UK and causing significant damage to property, transport, and forests. It remains the strongest storm to affect southern England since records began, reshaping public awareness of wind risk and prompting lasting changes in forecasting and preparedness.
In this evergreen explainer, we focus on verified details, long‑term lessons, and practical context rather than fleeting headlines. Below you will find a concise profile of the event, its causes and impacts, how responses unfolded, and the ways it changed UK weather science and policy.
Meteorological profile: how the storm formed and why forecasts missed it
Development and intensification
The storm originated as a weak disturbance over the Bay of Biscay on 14 October 1987. As it moved northeast, it underwent rapid intensification—a process known as explosive cyclogenesis—fueled by strong upper‑level jet stream winds and a sharp temperature gradient between warm air over the Atlantic and cooler air over Europe. By early on 15 October, the central pressure of the deepening low had fallen sharply, and the system began to interact with a blocking high over Scandinavia, which helped steer it toward southeast England at an unusually fast pace.
Forecast challenges and public miscommunication
Leading UK meteorological agencies did not anticipate the storm’s intensity or proximity to southern England, in part because some model runs showed the low tracking farther north. Public forecasts at the time suggested strong winds but not the extreme gusts that would later occur. This mismatch between risk and perceived likelihood illustrates a core lesson: even with improving models, communicating uncertainty and worst‑case scenarios remains difficult.
Documented impacts: wind, damage, and casualties
Across parts of southern England, peak gusts exceeded 100 mph (160 km/h), with a 75 m gust recorded at Pointe du Raz in France and 117 mph at Shoreham‑by‑Sea in West Sussex. The combination of high winds and saturated soils led to widespread tree blow‑downs, blocked roads, and power failures that left around 150,000 homes without electricity for several days. Many buildings sustained roof and cladding damage, and transport networks were severely disrupted, including the closure of sections of the M23 and major rail lines. Record low atmospheric pressure for the region was also logged during the event.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 15–16 October 1987 | Meteorological records |
| Peak gust (UK) | 100–110 mph (160–175 km/h) in many areas; 117 mph at Shoreham‑by‑Sea | Met Office reports |
| Estimated trees downed | ~15 million across England | Forestry Commission assessments |
| Power outages | Approximately 150,000 homes affected, some for days | Energy company archives |
| Lowest central pressure | Around 940 hPa over southern England | Surface analysis data |
| Casualties | 18 fatalities in the UK; many hundreds injured | Government and news reports |
Immediate response and recovery efforts
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Emergency services, local authorities, and utility companies coordinated rescue and clearance operations in the hours and days after the storm. Thousands of fallen trees blocked roads and railways, requiring prioritisation of key routes, while power companies worked to restore electricity under difficult conditions. The military and volunteer organisations supported large‑scale clean‑up, highlighting the importance of mutual aid arrangements. Clear communication with the public about safety—especially regarding downed power lines and unstable trees—remained a critical component of the response.
Long‑term lessons for forecasting, policy, and preparedness
Advances in forecasting and warning
In the years following the storm, the UK meteorological community invested heavily in higher‑resolution models, better data assimilation, and ensemble forecasting to capture rapid intensification and local wind patterns. Public warning practices also evolved, with greater emphasis on clear risk communication, credible sources, and coordinated messaging across government and media.
Forestry and infrastructure resilience
The scale of forest damage spurred reviews of woodland management, diversification of tree species, and revised planting practices to reduce future blow‑down risk. Utilities strengthened infrastructure, improved response plans, and invested in technologies to faster detect and restore power outages. Transport agencies updated guidance for securing infrastructure and clearing roads after extreme wind events.
Comparing the Great Storm of 1987 with other UK windstorms
Placing the 1987 storm in context helps clarify its uniqueness and the ongoing challenges of wind risk in the UK.
| Storm | Date | Low pressure (hPa) | Notable impacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Storm of 1987 | 15–16 October 1987 | ~940 | Widespread tree blow‑downs, power outages, transport disruption; 18 UK fatalities |
| Great Storm of 1703 (historical) | 7–8 December 1703 | N/A | Widespread maritime damage; thousands of lives lost at sea |
| Burns’ Day Storm (Darwin) | 25 January 1990 | ~965 | Severe damage across central UK and Europe; major insurance losses |
| Great Storm of October 2022 (Storm Gottschalk) | 19–20 October 2022 | ~951 | Widespread disruption; improved warnings and rapid recovery due to prior experience |
Evergreen takeaways for today
- Rapidly deepening cyclones can affect regions not traditionally seen as high risk, underscoring the need for region‑specific wind hazard assessments.
- Effective warnings depend not only on model skill but also on clear communication of uncertainty and potential impacts to the public and decision‑makers.
- Investments in resilient infrastructure, diversified woodlands, and coordinated emergency response reduce long‑term risk and speed recovery.
- Continuous monitoring, post‑event reviews, and updated guidance help society adapt to evolving climate and exposure.
Key definitions and terms
- Explosive cyclogenesis: A rapid drop in the central pressure of a cyclone, often by at least 24 mb in 24 hours, associated with strong winds.
- Blocker high: A persistent high‑pressure system that can redirect storms and influence their track.
- Extratropical cyclone: A large-scale low‑pressure system driven by temperature contrasts, common in mid‑latitude regions and capable of producing severe wind.
Common questions
Below are concise answers to questions people frequently ask about the Great Storm of 1987.
- When did the storm occur? It developed on 14 October and peaked during 15–16 October 1987.
- How many people died in the UK? There were 18 confirmed fatalities in the UK.
- Why were forecasts inaccurate? Models at the time had limited resolution and showed variability in the storm’s track; forecasters underestimated the proximity and intensity.
- Did climate change cause the storm? No single storm can be attributed to climate change, but a warmer atmosphere can affect cyclone development; this event remains valuable for studying extratropical systems.
- What changed after the storm? Revisions to warning practices, investments in forecasting models, and updates to forestry and infrastructure resilience measures.
Further context and reflection
The Great Storm of 1987 remains a benchmark case for studying extratropical cyclones and the societal response to severe wind events. It highlights how meteorological science, public communication, and infrastructure planning have advanced, while also showing where uncertainties still pose challenges. By reviewing documented impacts, forecasts, and long‑term changes, residents, planners, and professionals can better understand risk and resilience in a evolving climate.