TORNADOS could hit parts of the UK today ahead of the Strom Eowyn, with forecasters warning of a danger to life.
The Met Office said changing conditions would likely trigger an explosive cyclogenesis – or weather bomb – with strong winds, rain, snow and gusts of up to 90mph expected on Friday.
Red warnings for wind have been issued for Northern Ireland as well as central and southwestern areas of Scotland on Friday. These are accompanied by wider amber and yellow warnings for wind, as well as yellow warnings for rain and snow. The full list can be found here.
This is the first red warning issued for Northern Ireland since the Met Office moved to impact-based warnings in 2011.
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 Eowyn.
“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 80-90mph quite widely for a time, and potentially up to 100mph for exposed coasts in particular.”
The Met Office added: "This is known as explosive cyclogenesis or a weather bomb and will bring damaging winds to some areas".
European storm forecasters Estofex issued a level 2 alert, saying there was a "risk of a few tornados", adding: "A strong event cannot be ruled out".
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney posted on social media: "Now that a rare RED weather warning has been issued, I ask everyone to follow the advice that will be set out.
"It is vital we all do this to keep safe."
Irish premier Simon Harris has said there is an “extreme” risk to life during the
Harris said he had been briefed on the storm approaching Ireland from midnight.
Amid a nationwide 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.”
