Home / Weather News /

In the wake of the storm: Storm Otto's impacts

12:00
18 February 2023

In the wake of the storm
Storm Otto's impacts

storm otto

Storm Otto barrelled to the north of the UK on Friday 17th February, but just how bad was it?

The storm was named by the Danish Meteorological Institute, due to its significantly worse impacts expected there. Especially with the timing of half-term, many were set to travel home that day.

As a result over 5000 ferry passengers were stranded with no mode of transport home in Denmark and some residents in Copenhagen were told to evacuate.

In the UK meanwhile, large trees fell and blocked railway lines, bridges were closed and buildings were reported damaged. Being half-term, fortunately schools were already closed on the Friday.

Settings for external content

Privacy policy

The highest wind gusts through Storm Otto have been in the north of the UK.

Here are the figures:

  • 120 mph in Cairngorm - however this is a very exposed high altitude mountain location
  • 84 mph at Inverbervie, Aberdeenshire
  • 75 mph at Emley Moor, West Yorkshire
  • 53 mph at Capel Curig, North Wales
Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
The image shows the ruins of a house on the left and the weather radar with thunderstorms over Sumatra on the right.
Wednesday 3 December 2025

Heavy monsoon rain

Flood disaster on Sumatra
Weather map showing pink snowfall areas over the Great Lakes region. Snow showers are moving eastwards along the marked arrows. Several cities are affected by the snow bands.
Friday 28 November 2025

Lake effect phenomenon

Heavy snow showers in northern USA
Colour-coded wind map of the UK and nearby Europe showing widespread orange-red zones with wind speeds labelled 30–40 mph and a wind warning icon in the northwest.
Wednesday 26 November 2025

Gales on the way

Stormy outlook for Thursday
All weather news
This might also interest you
Mammatus clouds
Thursday 21 August 2025

Unusual view

Mammatus clouds over Ireland
Split weather map showing UK wind speeds in orange-red shades up to 40 mph on the left and warning levels in green-yellow on the right, with a central wind warning sign.
Wednesday 22 October 2025

Warnings active

Storm Benjamin impacts the UK
Friday 22 August 2025

Breakfast brief

Sunny start for some, overcast later
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList