Met Office issues urgent update on Storm Eowyn red wind warning as area of effect expanded
WATCH: Tony McGuire reports from Ayrshire as Storm Eowyn begins to hit
GB News
The Met Office has issued an urgent update on a previously issued red alert as Storm Eowyn causes mass chaos across the UK with widespread travel disruptions and school closures.
Red wind warnings are in effect in Northern Ireland until 2pm on Friday and in western central and southern areas of Scotland until 5pm.
Winds of more than 100mph are set to pose a danger to life in parts of the UK. In Ireland, forecaster Met Eireann recorded gusts of 114mph, the fastest speed since records began.
In an update issued just after 10.30am this morning the Met Office expanded the areas covered by the warning area.
The update said: "The warning has been extended to cover most of Dumfries and Galloway."
All trains in Scotland have been suspended and motorists in Northern Ireland have been advised not to drive unless absolutely essential.
Storm Eowyn is causing widespread destruction
Getty
⚠️⚠️🔴 Red wind warning UPDATED 🔴⚠️⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 24, 2025
Extended to cover more areas of southwest Scotland
Valid until 17:00 today
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfS950
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ https://t.co/GBa1GRusCu pic.twitter.com/ZgDoRG9nhT
Police Scotland has urged no motorists to travel in or to the red warning area, which covers the central belt including Glasgow and Edinburgh, stretching north to Jura in Argyll and Bute.
More than 4.5 million people across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland received emergency alerts on their phones in what the Government called "the largest real life use of the tool to date".
The Cabinet Office sent messages to every compatible mobile phone in areas covered by red weather warnings, with phones making a loud siren-like sound even when set to silent.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: "Red weather warnings are the strongest possible signal that drivers should avoid the roads – unless absolutely essential – until the danger has passed."
LATEST FROM STORM EOWYN:
Damaged roof at the Chimney Corner Hotel seen in Mallusk near Belfast
Getty
Bins were blown over by the winds from Storm Eowyn on Princes Street
PA
A view of a deserted Waverley Bridge in Edinburgh during Storm Eowyn
PA
Hundreds of schools across Scotland and Northern Ireland have been forced to close. The A1 between Spott Roundabout and Cockburnspath, East Lothian, has been closed due to multiple overturned vehicles.
Several major routes including the A75, A76 and A709 are blocked by fallen trees in Dumfries and Galloway. Glasgow and Edinburgh airports have reported dozens of cancelled flights.
Network Rail Scotland has reported significant infrastructure damage, including trees resting against overhead wires near Largs and damaged power lines at Kilwinning.
First Minister John Swinney emphasised the severity of the situation on social media, stating: "The RED weather warning we have today is very serious. There are extensive school closures, transport disruption and many dangers from the strong wind."
A member of staff places barriers and closes the entrance to Waverley Station in Edinburgh
PA
Wooden park benches blown over by the winds from Storm Eowyn
PA
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan issued a stark warning: "Our advice to any road user is not travelling, and that's really the message we want to get across."
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes warned recovery from Storm Eowyn could "take longer than we all hope".
She added: "It is important our expectations are managed by how quickly things can return to normal and there may well be continuing disruption tomorrow."
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