Around 4.5 million people received an emergency alert to their mobile phone at 6pm on Thursday after the Met Office issued a red danger to life warning across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, the Cabinet Office said.
The alert in response to Storm Eowyn was the largest real life use of the emergency system to date and caused mobile phones to make a loud siren-like sound, even if they are on silent when the alert is issued.
Storm Éowyn – pronounced "ay-oh-win" and the fifth named storm of the season – will undergo rapid development during Thursday as it moves across the Atlantic.
The Met Office has warned of “danger to life” in some parts of the UK on Friday due to flying debris, as well as large waves and beach material in coastal areas.
For the latest updates scroll down.
Key Points
- Met Office issues weather warnings across the UK ahead of Storm Eowyn bringing 90mph winds
- Rare "tornado event" warning in place for London as meteorologists issue level two alert
- "Do not travel" warnings in place for some services ahead of Storm Eowyn
- "Danger to life" in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland due to falling debris
- Yellow weather warning for rain affecting London and southern England on Sunday into Monday
- ScotRail suspends all services for Friday, as passengers are urged not to travel
That's it from our live weather blog for Thursday...
21:37 , Anthony FranceOur reporting teams will be back here tomorrow.
Coach services to operate as normal tomorrow
21:01 , Daniel KeaneNational Express coach services said it will continue to operate as normal on Friday, aside from a small number of cancelled stops and services that were planned to run within the red weather warning area across Scotland – including in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hamilton, Berwick and Alnwick.
A spokesperson for National Express said: “Safety is our number one priority.
“While most of our services are expected to operate as scheduled, we have cancelled or amended some services through Scotland during the red weather warning on Friday.
“We’re asking customers to check our website before travelling.
“We are closely monitoring the weather conditions and will update our website when there is new information to share.”
RAC advises motorists not to drive car unless 'absolutely essential'
19:39 , Daniel KeaneRAC Breakdown advised motorists in areas covered by a red weather warning not to drive their car "unless absolutely essential", adding motorists in areas covered by an amber alert should also "take great care" while driving.
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.
"With the worst conditions expected in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, we strongly urge motorists in these areas to stay safe by parking away from trees that could be uprooted by 100mph winds.
"Those in northern England and north-west Wales, where amber warnings apply, should also take great care if setting out.
"It's best to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, avoid coastal routes where the strength of the wind will be most severe and watch out for debris."
NHS board cancels all non-urgent procedures
19:28 , Daniel KeaneNHS Lothian has cancelled all routine, non-urgent planned procedures on Friday due to the red weather warning and postponed the majority of hospital outpatient appointments to protect patients and staff.
NHS Lanarkshire has also postponed all non-urgent appointments in hospital and community settings as a precaution.
Professor Caroline Hiscox, chief executive of NHS Lothian, said: "We apologise to the patients affected by these cancellations and will contact them to arrange alternative appointments as soon as possible.
"Teams across Lothian have helped put robust plans in place to ensure that urgent and emergency care is still available, and we are grateful to them for their dedication and resilience."
Millions to receive emergency weather alert
17:19 , Daniel KeaneAround 4.5 million people will receive an emergency alert to their mobile phones at 6pm on Thursday after the Met Office issued a red danger to life warning for wind across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, the Cabinet Office said.
The alert in response to Storm Eowyn will be the largest real life use of the emergency system to date and will cause mobile phones to make a loud siren-like sound, even if they are on silent when the alert is issued.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "The Met Office has issued a red warning for wind on Friday January 24, meaning there is a danger to life across Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.
"In light of the deteriorating weather conditions and associated disruption, and in consultation with the Scottish Government and Northern Ireland Executive, the Cabinet Office will issue emergency alerts early this evening to people affected by the warnings in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.
"The emergency alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the areas at most risk, containing information about the weather warnings and guidance on how to stay safe."
East Coast main line to face disruption all weekend
17:06 , Megan HowePassengers on the East Coast main line will face disruption all weekend, as the arrival of Storm Éowyn is expected to cause widespread disruption across the rail network.
The line connects King’s Cross with Yorkshire, northeast England and Scotland.
There will be no trains operating north of Newcastle in either direction on Friday and no LNER services operating within Scotland.
Services north of York will also be subject to short-notice cancellation and significant delay due to weather-related speed restrictions.
Due to planned engineering works, there will be no direct services between Peterborough and London King's Cross on Saturday 25 and Saturday 26 January.
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.”
Scotland schools and nurseries set to close on Friday
17:00 , Megan HoweA total of 16 schools and nurseries across Scotland will be closed on Friday as Storm Eowyn sweeps in.
These include Edinburgh, Clackmannanshire, Fife, Falkirk, Glasgow, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, North and South Lanarkshire, North Ayrshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian, East and West Dunbartonshire, Inverclyde and Argyll and Bute, the local councils have confirmed.
Dramatic footage shows strong wind pulling a shed off the ground
16:56 , Megan HoweDramatic footage has been circulating on social media showing extreme winds in Cornwall pulling a shed off the ground and blowing it away.
The county is currently experiencing 19-19mph winds which are expected to increase to around 25-30mph in the early hours of Friday.
⚠️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
ScotRail has suspended all services on Friday
14:44 , Megan HoweScotRail has suspended all services on Friday, as Storm Eowyn is set to batter the UK. Passengers have been urged not to travel as there will be no services and no alternative transport available.
The Met Office issued an upgraded red warning for Scotland in the morning, bringing extremely high winds, with gusts reaching 100mph in some parts.
The red warning will be in place from 10.00 to 17.00 and covers central Scotland, Tayside, Fife, south west Scotland, Lothian, Borders, and Strathclyde.
Anyone who is unable to use their tickets is entitled to a full refund on their unused train tickets.
National Rail announces closure to some lines ahead of Storm Eowyn
13:26 , Megan HoweThe rail industry has closed some lines in Northern England and Scotland as a result of Storm Eowyn.
This includes north of Preston on the West Coast Main Line and north of Newcastle on the East Coast Main Line, with both of these closures impacting on Anglo-Scots services.
Other lines across Northern England, Scotland and Northern Wales may also be closed at short notice due to the impacts of the storm.
Passengers are urged to keep up to date with the latest travel information and alternative travel options.
Travel plans likely to be "severely impacted" on Friday
11:56 , Megan HoweMet Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen has said travel across the UK is likely to be “severely impacted” by Storm Eowyn tomorrow.
“Storm Éowyn is a multi-hazard event, with snow likely for some, rain for many and strong winds for much of the UK,” he said.
“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.”
Flights cancelled between Belfast and the rest of the UK
11:27 , Megan HoweCurrently, 19 Aer Lingus flights have been cancelled flying in and out of Belfast City Airport on Friday ahead of Storm Eowyn.
Passengers have been advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.
Due to adverse weather conditions expected across the UK tomorrow (Friday 24th January 25), there may be some disruption to flights due to arrive and depart from Belfast City Airport.
— Belfast City Airport (@BELFASTCITY_AIR) January 23, 2025
Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline.#StormÉowyn
Met Office issued yellow weather warning for heavy rain
10:50 , Megan HoweA yellow weather warning for heavy rain has been issued for London and southern England on Sunday into Monday.
Around 10-20mm of rain will fall quite widely, with nearer 30-50mm over higher ground. Some areas may see as much as 80mm of rainfall in total.
"Danger to life" as amber weather warning for Northern Ireland and Scotland updated to red
10:16 , Megan HoweAn amber weather warning for Northern Ireland and Scotland has been updated to red as Storm Eowyn is expected to bring “very dangerous conditions with widespread disruption” on Friday.
The Met Office has warned of a “danger to life” in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, due to falling debris and beach material being thrown in coastal areas.
Red warning of wind affecting Northern Ireland https://t.co/ty5C0B2GNO pic.twitter.com/dVYNFHDVpU
— Met Office - Northern Ireland (@metofficeNI) January 23, 2025
Rare 'tornado event' warning in place for London
09:58 , Megan HoweThe capital could be hit by a rare ‘tornado event’, according to a team of meteorologists at the European Storm Forecast Experiment.
The researchers said: “Given rapid translation of thunderstorms, any tornado could be long-tracked and even a strong event cannot be ruled out.
“The main tornado risk seems to evolve along and [south] of a Bristol-London line.”
Rail operations issue travel advice to commuters ahead of Storm Eowyn
09:44 , Megan HoweThe following rail operators have issued travel advice to commuters ahead of Storm Eowyn, which will sweep across the UK on Friday.
- Avanti West Coast services will be affected, as people are warned not to travel north of Preston / North Wales routes
- LNER services will be affected: do not travel north of York
- Lumo services will be affected: do not travel north of Newcastle
- Northern services will be affected: do not travel on various routes
- TransPennine Express services will also be affected on Friday
Yellow weather warning issued for winds in Wales and southwest England
09:17 , Megan HoweA yellow weather warning for winds in western parts of Wales, southwest England and the southern coast of England has been ussed from 7am until 6pm on Thuraday.
⚠️ Yellow weather warning issued ⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 22, 2025
Strong winds in western parts of Wales, Southwest England and the southern coast of England
Thursday 0700 - 1800
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware⚠️ pic.twitter.com/khDM9RDV5I
Weather warning increased to amber ahead of Storm Eowyn
08:56 , Megan HoweAmber weather warnings for severe winds and widespread disruption have been issued by the Met Office ahead of Storm Eowyn on Friday.
Roal and rail cancellations, power cuts and damage to homes are expected.
⚠️⚠️ Amber weather warning issued ⚠️⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 22, 2025
Strong winds due to #StormÉowyn across Northern Ireland, northern England, north Wales and central and southern Scotland
Friday 0600 – 2100
Latest info 👉 https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs
Stay #WeatherAware ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/Ik7Rp5L2Yx
