Rare red weather warning issued for wind
André Rhoden-Paul
BBC News
Getty Images
A red weather warning has been issued for Northern Ireland on Friday, as dangerous Storm Éowyn heads towards the UK.
The red warning for wind, posing a danger to life, has been issued, while an amber warning is in place for parts of Scotland and the north of England, with gusts forecast up to 80-90mph (129-145km/h).
Damage to homes is possible, with winds strong enough to blow off roofs. Travel disruption is also likely, with rail operators warning commuters not to travel in parts of the north of the UK on Friday.
The rest of the country is also braced for strong winds, rain and snow, with the entire country covered by at least one yellow warning on Friday, as Storm Éowyn moves across the UK.
For the Republic of Ireland, this could be the storm of the century, BBC Weather said.
Blanket red weather warnings have also been issued by Irish forecasters at Met Éireann covering all of the Republic of Ireland for widespread gusts in excess of 80mph. Structural damage along with widespread disruption to transport and power is guaranteed.
The amber warning is in place on Friday from 06:00 GMT to 21:00, but these warnings are under review and could be upgraded.
As well as structural damage, power cuts are likely and people could be injured by flying debris.
Train operators Avanti, LNER, Lumo and Northern have issued warnings not to travel in the north of England and north Wales on Friday.
A satellite image of Storm Storm Éowyn over the UK
However, the big change to the UK’s weather starts on Thursday, as heavy rain and strong and gusty winds move across the country.
Parts of the south coast of England, South West and much of the Welsh coast are covered by a yellow weather warning for wind until 18:00 GMT on Thursday.
It is likely sea fronts will be affected by spray and large waves and power and travel disruption.
Early on Friday Storm Éowyn will begin to affect the UK with winds initially in the south-western part of the UK with heavy rainfall before quickly spreading north-east to the rest of the UK.
There is also a chance of snow over parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north.
The yellow warnings in place on Friday are for:
wind in parts of the Midlands, east of England, London and South East England from 05:00 to 15:00rain in parts of Wales, the South West and West Midlands from midnight to to 09:00wind across most of the country from midnight until 23:59snow in Scotland, in parts of the North East, North West from 03:00 until 12:00
Storm Eowyn is fifth named storm of the season.
#Rare #red #weather #warning #issued #wind