Rare Red Weather alerts issued for parts of Scotland with warning of danger to life
Rare Red Weather Warnings have been issued with Storm Éowyn forecast to bring disruptive winds as well as heavy rain and snow for some tomorrow.
The extreme weather alert for wind has been issued for Northern Ireland as well as central and southwestern areas of Scotland.
These are accompanied by wider Amber and Yellow Warnings for wind, as well as Yellow Warnings for rain and snow.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “We reserve the issuing of Red Warnings for the most severe weather which represents a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Éowyn.
“While it will be widely very windy on Friday, with additional hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most significant impacts are likely in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern parts of Scotland within the Red Warning areas, where winds could gust 80-90 mph quite widely for a time, and potentially up to 100 mph for exposed coasts in particular.”
This is the first Red Warning issued for Northern Ireland since the Met Office moved to impact-based warnings in 2011.
After Storm Éowyn tomorrow and early on Saturday, further wet and windy weather is likely on Sunday and at the start of next week, with further warnings issued.
A change as Storm Éowyn approaches
The UK starts to see a major change to the weather later today, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day.
Conditions turn both wet and windy during the early hours tomorrow morning as Storm Éowyn arrives, with rain starting off as snow over parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and higher ground in northern England.
Significant impacts likely with Storm Éowyn
Storm Éowyn, pronounced ‘Ay-oh-win’, will begin to influence the UK’s weather early tomorrow, with strengthening winds initially in southwestern parts of the UK with accompanying heavy rainfall.
This will quickly spread northeast to the rest of the UK during the morning.
There is also a chance of snow over Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland as the system initially bumps into cold air, however, much of this will quickly change to rain as milder air moves in.
Mr Gundersen continued: “Storm Éowyn is a multi-hazard event, with snow likely for some, rain for many and strong wings for much of the UK.
“As a result, a number of weather warnings have been issued, with all parts of the UK covered by one warning at some point on Friday.
“Storm Éowyn is expected to cross Northern Ireland early on Friday morning.
“It will then continue northeast across the northern half of Scotland during Friday afternoon and is expected to be centred near Shetland during Friday evening.
“It’s important to note that even those away from the immediate Red Warning areas will still likely see disruptive weather, with travel plans likely to be severely impacted, as well as the possibility of power cuts for some.”
Snow and rain represent additional hazards with this event, with warnings issued.
The snow is likely to be relatively short-lived before it shifts to rain, but still has the potential to cause disruption, with some surface water flooding a likely hazard in some places.
Advice
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather in your area.
Visit WeatherReady for practical tips and advice for preparing for severe weather.
Travel conditions are likely to be severely disrupted in the coming days.
Mark Nash, Duty Manager at National Highways, said: “We are expecting high winds and rain to hit most parts of the country later this week.
“If you're planning to drive over the next few days, prepare in advance for the journey and take extra care on the roads. If weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour to manage the conditions as safely as possible.
“We have a section of our website dedicated to travelling in storms, high winds and gales, and considerations for different types of vehicles, as part of our guide to travelling in severe weather.”
Scotland breakdown
Red Warning for wind for western and central areas of Scotland 10:00 until 17:00 Friday.
Amber Warning for wind in southern half of Scotland 06:00 until 21:00 Friday.
Yellow Warning for wind 00:00 until 23:59 Friday.
Yellow Warning for snow 06:00 until 23:59 Friday.
Yellow Warning for winds 00:00 – 15:00 Saturday.
As Storm Éowyn approaches, precipitation will initially fall as snow, mainly over the higher ground, but much of this will turn to rain as milder air moves in.
Winds will strengthen through the morning with the strongest gusts in southwestern parts of Scotland.
There will be a time in the middle of the day when the low passes over Scotland and winds could sharply fall for a time before quickly strengthening again.
Blustery wintry showers will remain through Saturday as the low moves away.
Impact on transport
LNER has said there will no trains operating north of Newcastle in either direction from 11am tomorrow
The company is advising customers not to travel to and from stations north of York tomorrow.
Customers can find the latest information and alternative travel options, which will be regularly updated, on LNER’s website: https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-now/travel-alerts/
