A rare red weather warning for wind will be in place across the north on Friday for the first time since the Met Office started using an impact-based warning system in 2011.
Strong winds associated with Storm Éowyn are expected to cause significant disruption and pose a ‘danger to life’ as it makes its way across parts of the UK and Ireland.
As a result, announcements were made on Thursday that schools and libraries would be closed, and a number of flights and ferries were cancelled alongside busses and trains.
Storm Éowyn live: Updates on road closures, flights and emergency information as red weather warning brings ‘threat to life’
With the red warning coming into effect at 7am, when will it end?
Storm Éowyn will hit the UK on Friday morning and is set to bring damaging gusts. Red and amber warnings have been issued⚠️
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 23, 2025
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When will the red weather warning end?
The Met Office announced on Thursday that a red weather warning would be in place across the north from 7am on Friday until 2pm.
“South-westerly then westerly winds will rapidly increase from west to east during the Friday morning rush hour with peak gusts of 80-90 mph fairly widely and perhaps up to 100 mph along some exposed coasts,” a Met Office spokesperson said.
“This brings the risk of significant disruption to transport and power supplies, as well as dangerous conditions outdoors. Winds will gradually ease from the south through Friday afternoon.”
Will winds die down after the red warning ends?
Winds are expected to not be as strong after the red warning ends, however Storm Éowyn will still be felt throughout the rest of Friday.
An amber warning for wind is running concurrently with the red warning and will be in place from 6am until 9pm on Friday.
This means that while the strongest winds should no longer be felt after 2pm, winds of up to 70mph are still expected inland during the amber warning timeframe.
A yellow warning is also in place for winds throughout the entirety of Friday until midnight for winds of up to 60mph.
Will the storm continue over the weekend?
Strong winds are set to return to Northern Ireland on Sunday, with an additional yellow warning in place from 8am until 3pm.
“Winds are likely to gust 50 to 60 mph quite widely, and around some exposed coasts and hills gusts to 70 mph are possible,” a Met Office spokesperson said.