Brief

London recalls 2015‑16 super El Niño storms as new winter forecast looms

The Met Office warns of a stormier start to autumn and winter after recalling the damage caused by Storm Desmond and Storm Katie in 2015‑16.

By Felo News Desk · Published Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:56 GMT

The Met Office has warned that the coming autumn and winter could be stormier than usual, prompting a look back at the "super" El Niño that struck London a decade ago.

What happened

During the 2015‑16 winter, an El Niño of similar magnitude to the one forecast for this year brought severe weather to the UK. Storm Desmond in December 2015 caused three deaths, including a 90‑year‑old man blown into a bus near Finchley Central, and damaged the 60‑ft Trafalgar Square Christmas tree. The storm also produced record rainfall, flooding around 5,200 homes in Lancashire and Cumbria, and power outages for over 100,000 homes in northern England.

In March 2016, Storm Katie hit London over Easter, delivering gusts of more than 100 mph on the southern coast and up to 85 mph inland. The storm bent a construction crane in Greenwich, damaged dozens of roofs, and caused widespread transport disruptions and power cuts, with over 100,000 outages recorded across the south of England.

What the reports add

The Standard notes that while Storm Desmond primarily affected northern England, Scotland and Wales, London also felt severe winds, whereas Storm Katie was the most damaging El Niño‑related storm for the capital. It also mentions a photograph of a trampoline lifted by the wind in Rotherhithe and a crane collapse in Greenwich as vivid examples of the storm’s intensity.

What was said

A Met Office spokesperson, quoted by the Standard, said the current forecast points to a "stormier start than usual to autumn and winter, and colder spells at the end of winter".

How it came about

The 2015‑16 events followed a strong El Niño that amplified Atlantic weather patterns, bringing intense low‑pressure systems to the UK. The Met Office’s current outlook draws on the same climate drivers, suggesting that the upcoming winter could see similar or even harsher conditions.

Key facts

Storm Desmond in December 2015 killed three people and caused over 5,000 homes to be flooded in northern England. (standard.co.uk)
A 90‑year‑old man died near Finchley Central after being blown into a moving bus during Storm Desmond. (standard.co.uk)
Storm Katie in March 2016 produced gusts over 100 mph on the southern coast and up to 85 mph inland, damaging roofs and a crane in Greenwich. (standard.co.uk)
Both storms led to more than 100,000 power outages across the south of England. (standard.co.uk)
The Met Office forecasts a stormier start to autumn and winter and colder spells at the end of winter for 2026‑27. (standard.co.uk)