The Great Storm of 1987 was a powerful extratropical cyclone that struck Southern England and Northern France on the night of October 15–16, 1987. Characterized by hurricane-force winds and a rare "sting jet" phenomenon, it caused 22 fatalities, leveled 15 million trees, and fundamentally restructured the way meteorological agencies provide severe weather warnings to the public.
The Atmospheric Origins of the "Weather Bomb"
To understand the severity of the 1987 storm, one must look at the unique convergence of atmospheric conditions over the Atlantic in mid-October of that year. While the storm is frequently associated with the infamous "Michael Fish" broadcast, the meteorological reality was a complex "weather bomb"—a process known scientifically as rapid cyclogenesis.
The storm began as a standard depression off the coast of the United States, tracking across the Atlantic. As it approached the Bay of Biscay, it encountered a powerful jet stream and a sharp temperature contrast between cold polar air and warm subtropical air. This interaction caused the central pressure of the storm to drop at an extraordinary rate. By the time the system reached the English Channel, the pressure had plummeted to approximately 958 hPa.
This rapid intensification created a tight pressure gradient, resulting in wind speeds that were unprecedented for the region in the 20th century. While the storm was technically an extratropical cyclone and not a "hurricane" (which requires a warm-core system), the wind speeds recorded reached Beaufort Scale 12, which is hurricane-force. Gusts of 115 mph were recorded at Shoreham-by-Sea, and even inland areas of London experienced gusts exceeding 90 mph.
The Michael Fish Controversy and the Forecasting Gap
Perhaps the most culturally enduring aspect of the storm is the BBC weather forecast delivered by Michael Fish on the afternoon of October 15. During the broadcast, Fish famously remarked, "Earlier on today, apparently, a woman phoned the BBC and said she heard there was a hurricane on the way. Well, if you’re watching, don’t worry, there isn't!"
While Fish was technically correct—the storm did not meet the tropical definition of a hurricane—the forecast failed to convey the severity of the incoming gale. In 1987, meteorological modeling was in its relative infancy compared to the supercomputing power available in 2026. The Met Office's computer models at the time relied on fewer data points, particularly from the Atlantic Ocean, where satellite coverage was less comprehensive.
The models originally predicted the storm would track further south across the English Channel and into France. Instead, the system veered slightly north, bringing the strongest winds directly across the densely populated Southeast of England. The failure to predict the exact path and intensity led to a lack of preparation, as most people went to bed that Thursday night unaware that they were about to experience the most violent weather event in nearly 300 years.
The Night of October 15–16: A Timeline of Destruction
The storm’s impact began in earnest around 10:00 PM on October 15, starting in the southwest and moving rapidly northeast. By midnight, the storm was centered over the Isle of Wight, and the true scale of the event began to manifest.
11:00 PM – 1:00 AM: The South Coast Peak
As the storm’s center moved toward the English Channel, the "Sting Jet"—a core of very strong winds descending from the mid-troposphere—hit the coastline. This caused localized but extreme damage in Dorset, Hampshire, and Sussex. Power lines were the first to go as trees, still heavy with autumn leaves, were uprooted by the initial gusts.
1:00 AM – 3:00 AM: The Onslaught on London and the Home Counties
The storm reached its peak intensity across London, Kent, and Surrey during the early hours of Friday morning. The sound of the wind was described by survivors as a "continuous roar" or the sound of a "speeding freight train." Roofs were stripped of tiles, chimney stacks collapsed, and the iconic "Seven Oaks" in the town of Sevenoaks were reduced to just one standing tree.
3:00 AM – 6:00 AM: East Anglia and Departure
By dawn, the storm moved out over the North Sea toward Scandinavia, leaving East Anglia to deal with the final lashing of gale-force winds. As the sun rose on Friday, October 16, the United Kingdom woke up to a landscape that had been fundamentally altered.
Infrastructure and Environmental Impact
The sheer scale of the damage was nearly impossible to quantify in the immediate aftermath. The estimated cost of the damage in 1987 figures was roughly £1 billion (approximately £3 billion in today's value).
The Great Tree Loss
The most visible impact was the loss of 15 million trees. Because the storm occurred in mid-October, many trees were still in full leaf, providing a greater surface area for the wind to catch. Furthermore, the ground was particularly soft due to heavy rainfall in the preceding weeks, making it easier for root systems to fail. The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew lost approximately 700 rare trees, and the landscape of the South Downs and the Weald of Kent changed overnight.
Power and Transportation
The National Grid suffered a catastrophic blow. For the first time, the grid had to be shut down in parts of the southeast to prevent a total systemic collapse. Over 2 million homes were left without electricity, some for as long as two weeks. Transportation was paralyzed; the M25 and other major motorways were blocked by thousands of fallen trees, and the rail network was completely halted due to debris on the tracks and damage to overhead lines.
Structural Damage
In London alone, thousands of buildings suffered damage. Scaffolding on construction sites collapsed, and several historic structures were hit by falling trees or debris. Despite the intensity of the winds, the death toll remained relatively low (18 in the UK and 4 in France), largely because the storm hit at night when most people were indoors.
Comparison of Major UK Windstorms
To provide context for the 1987 event, it is helpful to compare it to other significant storms in British history. While 1987 is the most famous in modern memory, it is part of a broader history of severe weather.
| Storm Event | Year | Peak Gust (UK) | Fatalities | Primary Impact Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Storm | 1703 | Unknown (Est. 120+ mph) | 8,000 - 15,000 | Entire Southern UK |
| The Great Storm | 1987 | 115 mph | 22 (Total) | SE England & N France |
| Burns' Day Storm | 1990 | 107 mph | 47 | Southern UK & Midlands |
| Storm Eunice | 2022 | 122 mph | 4 | Isle of Wight / South |
| Storm Darragh | 2024 | 93 mph | 2 | Western UK |
Note: The 1990 Burns' Day Storm actually caused more fatalities than 1987, primarily because it struck during the daytime.
Lessons Learned and the Evolution of Meteorology
The fallout from the Great Storm of 1987 led to a revolutionary shift in how the UK Met Office operates. The public outcry and subsequent government inquiry demanded that such a failure in forecasting never happen again.
- Investment in Supercomputing: Following 1987, the government significantly increased funding for the Met Office, allowing for the acquisition of much more powerful supercomputers capable of running high-resolution models.
- The National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS): This service was established specifically because of the 1987 storm. It introduced the color-coded (Yellow, Amber, Red) warning system we use today, designed to provide clear, actionable advice to the public and emergency services.
- Observation Density: The Met Office increased the number of weather buoys in the Atlantic and improved satellite data integration to ensure that "weather bombs" forming over the ocean could be detected far earlier.
- The "Sting Jet" Discovery: The 1987 storm led to the scientific identification of the "Sting Jet." Researchers realized that a specific part of a rapidly deepening cyclone could pull high-momentum air from the upper atmosphere down to the surface, creating localized pockets of extreme wind.
The Ecological Legacy: A Forest Reborn
While the loss of 15 million trees was initially seen as an environmental disaster, the long-term ecological impact has been surprisingly positive in some areas. The storm acted as a natural "thinning" process for many overcrowded and non-native plantations.
In the decades following the storm, conservationists observed that the sudden opening of the forest canopy allowed light to reach the forest floor for the first time in a century. This triggered a surge in biodiversity, as dormant seeds of wildflowers and native broadleaf trees began to germinate. Rare species of butterflies and birds that thrive in open woodland clearings saw a resurgence in populations across Kent and Sussex. Today, many of the woodlands that were "destroyed" in 1987 are healthier and more diverse than they were before the storm.
Practical Guidance: Preparing for Future Extreme Wind Events
As we look back from 2026, the frequency of high-intensity storms remains a concern. While forecasting has improved immensely, individual preparation is still the key to safety.
- Secure Loose Objects: In any "Amber" or "Red" warning, items like garden furniture, trampolines, and bins should be secured or moved indoors. During the 1987 storm, these items became lethal projectiles.
- Tree Maintenance: Property owners should regularly inspect large trees for signs of rot or structural weakness. The 1987 storm proved that even healthy-looking trees can fail if the ground is saturated and the wind is high.
- Emergency Kits: Ensure you have a non-electric light source (LED lanterns), a portable power bank, and a battery-operated radio. In 1987, many people were cut off from all communication when the power failed and telephone lines were downed.
- Avoid Travel: The majority of injuries in severe storms occur when people are in vehicles or outdoors. If a severe wind warning is issued, staying indoors away from windows is the safest course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the 1987 storm a hurricane?
No, it was not a hurricane. Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that form over warm tropical waters and have a "warm core." The 1987 storm was an extratropical cyclone (a mid-latitude depression). However, it reached "hurricane-force" on the Beaufort Scale (Force 12), which refers only to the wind speed, not the type of storm.
Why did Michael Fish say there wasn't a hurricane?
Michael Fish was responding to a specific caller who had asked about a hurricane in Florida. While he was correct that a tropical hurricane was not heading for the UK, his forecast failed to emphasize the extreme intensity of the mid-latitude storm that was actually developing. The computer models at the time had also failed to correctly predict the storm's track.
How many people died in the 1987 storm?
A total of 22 people lost their lives due to the storm: 18 in the United Kingdom and 4 in France. The death toll was relatively low considering the damage, mainly because the peak of the storm occurred between midnight and 6:00 AM when most people were off the streets.
What is a "Sting Jet"?
A "Sting Jet" is a meteorological phenomenon associated with rapidly intensifying storms. It is a small area of very intense winds (often over 100 mph) that descends from the mid-levels of the atmosphere to the ground. It was first identified and named by meteorologists studying the unique damage patterns of the 1987 storm.
How many trees were lost in 1987?
Approximately 15 million trees were blown down across the UK. This included massive losses in commercial plantations, historic parks, and ancient woodlands. The debris was so significant that it took years for some forests to be cleared and replanted.
Final Recommendation
The Great Storm of 1987 serves as a permanent reminder of the power of nature and the limitations of human technology. For residents in storm-prone areas, the best course of action is to stay informed via official Met Office apps and heed "Red" warnings immediately. Understanding that "hurricane-force" winds can occur even outside the tropics is essential for maintaining proper home insurance and emergency preparedness in the modern era.
