Britons across the UK will be facing severe disruption as the country prepares to be battered by 100mph winds brought by Storm Eowyn.
Thousands of train journeys have been cancelled, with ScotRail suspending all of its services on Friday.
The company, which normally operates more than 2,000 rail services a day, said it “would not be safe to operate passenger services due to forecast weather conditions”.
A number of other train companies including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, and Grand Central have told customers not to travel on routes across parts of north Wales and Scotland.
On the roads, motorists in areas covered by a red weather warning have been advised not to drive their car unless absolutely essential.
Schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland were advised to close on Friday for the safety of children and staff.
The Met Office issued a rare red warning across Northern Ireland and Scotland, where winds will rapidly pick up during the Friday morning rush hour, with peak gusts of 80-90mph fairly widely and perhaps up to 100mph along some exposed coasts.
Key Points
- Met Office warns of danger to life as Britain faces 90mph winds
- All ScotRail services suspended on Friday
- European Storm Forecast Experiment issue tornado warning for next 24 hours
- All Northern Irish schools to close on Friday
- Where and when snow and 100mph winds will hit UK after Met Office weather warnings issued
Train operators issue “Do Not Travel” warnings for Friday
15:42
,
Simon Calder
Northern Trains has issued a Do Not Travel warning covering all services in Cumbria, Blackpool North to York, Wigan to Leeds, Manchester Victoria to Leeds via Hebden Bridge, Huddersfield to Sheffield, Leeds-Nottingham and the new Northumberland line from Newcastle to Ashington.
TransPennine Express has already urged passengers not to attempt to travel from northern England to Scotland on Friday.
It is now telling passengers: “We are advising customers to avoid travelling, unless absolutely essential, between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. Services which we are able to operate across the rest of the TransPennine Express network will run to an amended timetable and may be subject to significant disruption with short notice delays, alterations and cancellations all possible.”
Dramatic footage shows high wind pulling shed off ground
15:40
,
Athena Stavrou
Dramatic footage has been circulated online of extremely strong winds in Cornwall.
Several videos and pictures shared on social media shows objects being swept away in winds and even an entire shed being lifted from the ground.
Earlier, European Storm Forecast Experiment published a map putting southern England under a level 2 tornado warning for severe wind gusts with a few tornado events possible.
They said: “a strong event cannot be ruled out”.
⚠️Watch to the end ⚠️
— Kernow Weather Team (@KWTWeather) January 23, 2025
Possible downburst or mini tornado
Bodmin way after torrential downpours, hail and thunder went through near Bodmin
Video courtesy of Nikki Selwood.@BBCCornwall@alpinoservices@AnthonyStorms7@bbcweather @BlackCountryWX @DundeeSat @dundonradio… pic.twitter.com/fEOlk1DoPt
More schools and nurseries to close
15:30
,
Athena Stavrou
All schools and nurseries across Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Fife and Falkirk councils will be closed on Friday because of Storm Eowyn.
The four councils are the latest to confirm closures in Scotland, taking the total to 16.
Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, North and South Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian, East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute councils previously said all schools and nurseries will be closed on Friday.
Thousands of train journeys suspended
15:14
,
Athena Stavrou
Britons are facing a day full of disrpution on Friday, as rare red weather warnings come into place triggered by 100mph winds brought by Storm Eowyn.
Thousands of train journeys have been cancelled, with ScotRail suspending all of its services on Friday.
The company, who operate more than 2,000 rail services a day, said it “would not be safe to operate passenger services due to forecast weather conditions”.
A number of train companies including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, and Grand Central have told customers not to travel on routes across parts of North Wales and Scotland as “very strong winds, rain and snow” are expected to disrupt train services from Friday.
National Rail said in a statement published on Thursday: “Strong winds can blow trees into infrastructure, damaging the overhead lines that power electric trains.
“The winds can mean it’s unsafe to carry out repairs at height – or with certain machinery until the winds have dropped.
“Trains may have to run at a reduced speed causing delays to your journey.”
Widespread cancellations on Irish Sea by Stena Line
14:56
,
Alice Reynolds
Stena Line has cancelled almost all of its sailings between Wales and Ireland on Friday. The Fishguard-Rosslare link will not operate at all. In addition, tonight’s 10.30pm sailing from Holyhead to Dublin is cancelled – as are most on the route on Friday. But the 4.30pm and 10.30pm ferries from the Irish capital are currently showing as on time.
From Cairnryan in southwest Scotland to Belfast, Stena Line has cancelled the 11.30pm departure on Thursday. The corresponding ferry from Belfast will sail early to try to avoid the worst of the weather. Friday’s first four sailings each way on the route are cancelled, with the 7.30pm departure in each direction “in doubt”.
Stena Line says: “You can amend your booking online to an alternative sailing or route without any charge fee or fare difference applied.”
All ScotRail services suspended on Friday
14:41
,
Athena Stavrou
ScotRail said that all its services will be suspended on Friday January 24.
In a statement posted on X, it said: “With the safety of customers and staff of paramount importance, we will not be safe to operate passenger services due to the forecast weather conditions across Scotland during #StormEowyn.
“All ScotRail services are suspended on Friday, January 24.
“We strongly advise you not to travel, as there will be no train services, and no alternative transport will be available.”
It said that high winds “could lead to trees and other debris falling onto the tracks, trapping trains and putting people in danger. It can also impact service recovery times due to poor road and driving conditions”.
“Once the warnings pass, the network will have to undergo safety inspections before services can be reintroduced.”
The company advised people to check the ScotRail website or app before travelling on Saturday morning.
Rail: East Coast main line in disarray all weekend
14:30
,
Barney Davis
Passengers on the UK’s flagship railway, the East Coast main line, face disruption all weekend.
The line connects London King’s Cross with Yorkshire, northeast England and Scotland. On Friday passengers are advised not to travel north of York, and the stretch from Newcastle to February is completely closed.
Passengers booked on LNER for Friday can use their tickets for Friday on Thursday or up to Monday 27 January – but at the weekend London-Peterborough is closed for engineering work.
The rail firm says: “LNER services will start and terminate at Peterborough, where rail replacement coaches will operate to Bedford for train services to London St Pancras.”
Hull Trains is running services via Sheffield to St Pancras, with journey times increased by about an hour.
More Scottish schools to be closed tomorrow
14:06
,
Barney Davis
Scotland’s Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop there will be widespread disruption to the transport network as more counties announce their schools will close.
She said: “I would urge people to follow police advice and avoid travel in the area affected by the red warning for wind. If you do need to travel, your journey is likely to be badly disrupted and there will likely be cancellations to rail, ferry and air services.
“Traffic Scotland will provide the most up-to-date information on the trunk roads throughout the warning periods, via their website, social media channels and radio broadcasts.
“The conditions will inevitably cause major disruption to rail, ferry and aviation services too, so please contact your operator to see if your journey has been affected.”
North and South Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian, East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute councils have all confirmed their schools would be closed with the red weather warning for wind in force.
They join Glasgow, East Ayrshire and West Lothian, which made the same announcements on social media earlier on Thursday, bringing the total number of authorities with all schools closed to 12 in Scotland.
National Rail issue warning
14:03
,
Barney Davis
A number of train companies including Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, and Grand Central have told customers not to travel on routes across parts of North Wales and Scotland as “very strong winds, rain and snow” are expected to disrupt train services from Friday.
National Rail said in a statement published on Thursday: “A yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for today, affecting southern parts of England and the coast of Wales.
“In addition to this, red, amber and yellow weather warnings have been issued due to Storm Éowyn and is expected to bring very strong winds, rain and snow to most parts of Great Britain on Friday 24 January, and across parts of northern England and Scotland on Saturday 25 January.
“Strong winds can blow trees into infrastructure, damaging the overhead lines that power electric trains.
“The winds can mean it’s unsafe to carry out repairs at height – or with certain machinery until the winds have dropped.
“Trains may have to run at a reduced speed causing delays to your journey.”
Most dangerous storm in country’s history
13:27
,
Barney Davis
Ireland is to face one of the most dangerous storms in its history, with wind speeds of up to 130km per hour inland across the country.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group said in its briefing in Dublin that Storm Eowyn will be one of the “most severe” Ireland has experienced.
Keith Leonard, the group’s chairman, said it will be “destructive, dangerous and disruptive”.
Eoin Sherlock, head of forecasting at Met Eireann, warned that the jet stream will bring storms of “incredible intensity” which has left Ireland in the “firing line”.
Gusts to approach record levels
13:02
,
Barney Davis
The record for a gust in Northern Ireland is 124mph in Kilkeel in Co Down in January 1974.
A Met Office spokesperson said peak rush hour wind speeds of 80-90 miles per hour are expected across Northern Ireland, with up to 100mph in some exposed locations.
“An extremely windy spell with disruption and potentially damaging winds tomorrow morning,” he said.
“It’s a big deep area of low pressure covering Northern Ireland hence the warning that covers Northern Ireland. Top wind speeds are expected on higher ground or exposed locations, potentially around coasts.”
Irish Sea ferries between Scotland and Northern Ireland cancelled
12:56
,
Simon Calder
P&O Ferries has cancelled three sailings each way on Friday between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The company says: “We regret to inform you, due to Storm Eowyn, the 4am, 8am and 12 noon sailings tomorrow (24/01/25) from Larne and Cairnryan are cancelled.
“We will contact affected customers shortly to discuss alternative arrangements. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
“We aim to restart service with the 4pm departures from both ports, delayed until approximately 5pm. However this is subject to change dependant on weather conditions.”
Stena Line has cancelled its first five Friday sailings from Cairnryan to Belfast, and the 7.30pm departure is currently “in doubt”.
Mapped: Red warnings across Northern Ireland and Scotland
12:45
,
Barney Davis
Drivers should ‘consider whether their journey is necessary’ , says AA
12:45
,
Athena Stavrou
Drivers are being urged to consider whether or not their journeys are necessary as Storm Eowyn strikes parts of the UK.
Chris Wood, AA Patrol of the Year, said: “As the warning has risen from Amber to Red in the most northern and western areas of the UK, we urge drivers to consider whether their journey is necessary and if not postpone it.
“If you do need to travel, make sure you’re prepared for what you may encounter. Expect to come across fallen branches and other debris on the roads, especially in rural areas.
“Allow extra time for your journey, as it’s likely to take longer than usual. Pack the essentials for emergencies in case you do breakdown – warm waterproof clothing, a torch, and a flask of hot drink. Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and download the AA app and what3words to help us get to you faster if the worst should happen.”
BBC meterologist warns of gusts reaching 140mph
12:30
,
Barney Davis
Some crazy wind gusts forecast for Friday morning #StormÉowyn
— Simon King (@SimonOKing) January 23, 2025
- West coast Ireland 100-140mph
- Western Isles of Scotland and Irish Sea coasts 90-110mph.
This will be an exceptional storm! pic.twitter.com/KXoNeFVUwr
Scottish Government’s Resilience Room activated
12:23
,
Athena Stavrou
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney told MSPs: “The storm could bring winds up to 100mph.
“The Met Office advice is clear, the potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property and transport and power disruptions.”
He said the Scottish Government’s Resilience Room was activated this morning to co-ordinate help and to support Scotland’s frontline responders.
Speaking immediately before First Minister’s Questions, Mr Swinney said he would chair a meeting of the Resilience Room after First Minister’s Questions and further advice would be issued.
First minister tells people in Scotland not to travel during warnings
12:19
,
Athena Stavrou
Scotland’s first minister John Swinney told people not to travel in affected areas during the red weather warning for Scotland.
In a statement at the Scottish Parliament, he said: “We have to be clear, people should not travel and Police Scotland will issue a formal ‘do not travel’ advisory notice shortly.
“Councils will make decisions today on school closures.
He added: “Red weather warnings like this are very rare. Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police, take this seriously and stay safe.”
Northern Ireland to see 90mph winds as all schools advised to close on Friday
12:05
,
Athena Stavrou
A Met Office spokesperson said peak rush hour wind speeds of 80-90 miles per hour are expected across Northern Ireland, with up to 100mph in some exposed locations.
“An extremely windy spell with disruption and potentially damaging winds tomorrow morning,” he told PA.
“It’s a big deep area of low pressure covering Northern Ireland hence the warning that covers Northern Ireland.
“Top wind speeds are expected on higher ground or exposed locations, potentially around coasts.”
The record for a gust in Northern Ireland is 124mph in Kilkeel in Co Down in January 1974.
All Northern Irish schools to close on Friday
11:39
,
Barney Davis
All schools in Northern Ireland have been advised to close on Friday amid a rare red warning for wind issued for Storm Eowyn, Stormont’s Education Minister Paul Givan has said.
“I understand this will impact on the work of schools and indeed on other businesses and services, but the decision has been taken to avoid any potential risk to life for children and young people as well as staff,” he said.
“Schools should put plans in place today for remote learning so that pupils can study at home.”
Across the Irish border Met Eireann has issued a rare nationwide red warning for wind across the Republic of Ireland, describing possible “danger to life”.
Extreme risk to life during Storm Eowyn - Irish premier Simon Harris
11:02
,
Barney Davis
There is an “extreme” risk to life during Storm Eowyn, Irish premier Simon Harris has said.
Mr Harris said he had been briefed on the storm approaching Ireland from midnight.
Amid a nationwide red weather warning, he said: “Storm Eowyn is dangerous, destructive and damaging.
“We cannot give a higher warning than nationwide red. The risk to life is extreme and real.
“You need to pay attention. Do not travel. Do not go near the sea.”
New weather map reveals strong and damaging winds in Northern Ireland
10:32
,
Barney Davis
⚠️⚠️ Red weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 23, 2025
Strong and damaging winds in Northern Ireland
Friday 0700 – 1400
Latest info https://t.co/QwDLMfS950
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/IYBLMzCZhD
‘Small chance of isolated tornado today’ - Met Office
10:29
,
Barney Davis
A Met Office spokeswoman told The Independent: “There is a small chance of an isolated tornado today (23 Jan 2025) as a squally front moves eastwards, primarily Wales and central and/or southern parts of England, but the chance in any one location is very low.
“Most areas will just experience a period of heavy rain and gusty winds, perhaps with some hail and thunder in places, before it clears to the North Sea during the afternoon.
“A Yellow warning for wind is in force for southern England and parts of Wales until 6pm today.
“Around 30 tornadoes a year are reported in the UK but here in the UK we do not ‘warn’ for tornado’s as they do in countries like the USA as these are typically small and short-lived, but can cause structural damage if they pass over built-up areas.”
Met Office issues rare red warning with 100mph winds to strike coastal areas
10:00
,
Barney Davis
The forecaster warned that very strong winds associated with Storm Éowyn causing very dangerous conditions with widespread disruption over Northern Ireland.
They urged people to watch out for:
- Flying debris resulting in danger to life
- Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes
- Very dangerous driving conditions with fallen trees on roads
- Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
- Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
- Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights
Red warnings across Ireland
09:41
,
Barney Davis
The Republic of Ireland’s forecasting agency has issued a Status Red wind warnings for 22 counties from Dublin, to Louth, Cork, Galway and Donegal from the early hours of Friday – with some schools set to close.
Status Orange wind warnings are also in place for counties in the south east.
Met Eireann said: “Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive winds with gusts of up to 130kmh (80mph) widely, with even higher gusts for a time.”
The expected impacts include fallen trees, damage to power lines and power outages, structural damage, very difficult travelling conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, and wave overtopping.
Status Red is the highest level wind warning issued by the agency and is due to predicted “destructive gusts in excess of 130kmh”. Met Eireann said this brings a “danger to life” and “extremely dangerous” travelling conditions.
Storm Eowyn: Rail, road, sea and air travel disrupted as Met Office weather warnings come into effect
09:15
,
Barney Davis
Storm Eowyn (pronounced “ay-oh-win”) is forecast to bring strong winds to much of the UK on Friday and into Saturday. The latest bout of severe winter weather is already causing travel disruption, with rail firms cancelling some trains on Friday – one is warning passengers not to travel north of York.
Simon Calder, Travel Correspondent of The Independent, has been surveying the likely damage to travel plans.
European Storm Forecast Experiment issue tornado warning for next 24 hours
09:12
,
Barney Davis
A level two alert has been issued by the European Storm Forecast Experiment, warning of the possibility of “severe wind gusts with a few tornado events possible” in the south of England on Thursday.
A spokesman said: “A ESFE A level 2 was issued for S UK mainly for severe wind gusts with a few tornado events possible. A strong event cannot be ruled out.“A level 1 surrounds the level 2 area with a similar risk but lower probabilities.”
Where and when snow and 90mph winds will hit UK after Met Office weather warnings issued
09:00
,
Alexander Butler
Weather map shows likely advance of Storm Eowyn
08:45
,
Barney Davis
The low pressure named #StormÉowyn currently has a central air pressure of 1001hPa, but this is expected to drop by 62hPa in the next 30 hours
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 22, 2025
This is known as explosive cyclogenesis or a weather bomb and will bring damaging winds to some areas on Friday ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/N8iooq5pl1
What is causing strong winds?
08:30
,
Alexander Butler
The change to conditions is being caused by a powerful jet stream pushing low pressure across the Atlantic and towards the UK, following a recent cold spell over North America.
The forecaster advised securing loose items outside homes, including bins, garden furniture, trampolines and sheds, and gathering torches and batteries in case of any power cut.
Those travelling in this “disruptive spell of weather” are urged to be cautious, as road, rail, airports and ferries are likely to be affected.
Winds of up to 90mph forecast across UK
08:00
,
Alexander Butler
Meteorologists said the strongest winds of up to 90mph were likely to be found along the more exposed coastal areas, while gusts are expected inland of between 60mph and 70mph.
“There is a chance that damage to buildings and homes could occur, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down,” a spokesperson said.
“Injuries and danger to life could occur from flying debris, as well as large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.”
Warnings of travel disruption as Storm Eowny sweeps in
07:56
,
Athena Stavrou
As the UK braces for a host of weather warnings to begin as Storm Eowny makes it way across the UK, The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder warned travel organisations have already issued warnings for tomorrow.
“The weather is getting worse. It used to be you’d get something like this every couple of years, now it seems to be every couple of weeks.
“You might remember over Christmas we had all kinds of disruption due to high winds. Hundreds of flights cancelled at Heathrow, fog causing problems particularly at Gatwick and Manchester.”
Simon Calder breaks down weather warnings
07:51
,
Athena Stavrou
As Storm Eowyn makes its way to the UK this week, The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder has broken down the weather warnings affecting the country today and tomorrow.
Appearing on Sky News, Simon Calder said: “The weather warning has already started today, yellow wind warning that cover pretty much anywhere on the entire coast from north Wales going anticlockwise all the way around Wales all the way around south-west England all the way around the south coast as far as Ramsgate.
“Tomorrow it gets even worse, basically the entire UK is covered by weather warnings. It’s wind and rain in the south and wind and rain in the north.
“Then you can see that big area covering the whole of Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, north Wales and north England and that is for high winds.”
Met Office warns of danger to life as Britain faces 90mph winds
07:30
,
Alexander Butler
Britain is set to be battered by winds of up to 90mph from Storm Eowyn as the Met Office warned of a danger to life in parts of the country over the next few days.
Very strong winds are forecast to strike the north of England, south of Scotland and North Wales.
The forecaster issued an amber warning of wind from 6am to 9pm on Friday across the north of England, south of Scotland and North Wales.
There is also a yellow warning of wind for the north of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the south of England and the midlands.
“Storm Eowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption on Friday,” a Met Office spokesperson said.
Strong winds forecast for Thursday
07:00
,
Alexander Butler
On Thursday, a yellow wind warning is in place for much of the south coast of England and west coast of Wales between 7am and 6pm.
The Met Office warned of high waves across coastal routes and sea fronts. In some areas, power cuts are expected.
