SSEN moves north of Scotland to Weather Warning status ahead of lightning

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) moved to Weather Warning status in the north of Scotland on 12 August 2025, ahead of extensive, prolonged lightning forecast for most of Wednesday and Thursday that week¹. The network operator said the status indicates the likelihood of disruption the severe weather could cause, and the extra measures it is taking in response¹.

Lightning is expected over a widespread area as successive weather fronts move up from the south and across Argyll, Stirling, Perthshire, Angus, the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Moray¹. SSEN said this includes parts of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire which were particularly affected by Storm Floris the previous week¹.

SSEN said lightning affects its distribution network differently from other storms, where gale-force winds are the principal cause of damage, and that restoration times are generally shorter¹. Much of the network is designed so that if lightning strikes the infrastructure it closes down automatically for a brief period while safety checks take place, after which supplies are often re-established and customers may notice only short interruptions¹. Severe strikes can affect the network for longer if lines, poles, and equipment in substations and transformers are damaged, and fuse replacements may be needed¹. Over the past five years SSEN has installed lightning protection technology at more than 100 of its sites on the north of Scotland network where lightning impact has been more common¹.

SSEN said it was bringing in additional control room teams, preparing supplies of replacement components, and putting extra engineering teams on standby to repair faults as soon as it is safe to do so¹. Extra call handlers are being brought in for an expected increase in customer calls, and text messages will be sent to customers with vulnerabilities in the areas which could be most affected, with help and advice¹.

Why it matters for households

Households across the north of Scotland, including parts of the Highlands and Aberdeenshire still recovering from Storm Floris, could see supply interruptions during Wednesday and Thursday¹. SSEN asks customers whose power remains off for any length of time to call 105 free of charge or contact it via the PowerTrack website or app¹. It asks anyone who sees damage to its equipment to stay back, not touch it, and report it by calling 105 or via PowerTrack¹. It encourages customers to save the number 105 to their phone to report loss of supply or damage to the network, and to use the PowerTrack map for details of power cuts and restoration times¹. SSEN also points to its "Preparing for a power cut" pages for advice¹.

SSEN said customers are eligible for its free Priority Services Register if they are deaf or hard of hearing, have a disability, live with children under five, are blind or partially sighted, have a chronic illness, use medical equipment or aids reliant on electricity, or are over 60¹. It can be reached on 0800 294 3259¹. The Priority Services Register guide sets out who can join and what it provides, and the storms and the electricity network guide explains how severe weather affects overhead supplies.

What happens next

SSEN said it had been monitoring the weather system for several days and was preparing for the likelihood of network disruption¹. It said updates are available on its PowerTrack map and through its Facebook page (ssencommunity)¹. No further status changes beyond the Weather Warning were reported on 12 August 2025¹.