Schools close and people told to stay indoors as red alert issued for Storm Eowyn

A rare red alert has been issued as Scotland braces for Storm Eowyn bringing the most intense weather in recent history with 100mph gusts.

Schools across central Scotland will close on Friday. Glasgow, East Ayrshire and East Lothian councils have confirmed all nurseries, primaries and secondaries will be shut – other councils are expected to follow.

ScotRail has suspended all services on Friday with disruption to transport expected across the country.

The Met Office issued the most severe possible warning for Friday, forecasting “flying debris resulting in danger to life”.

People have been urged to stay indoors and not travel under what has been described as “exceptional circumstances” by STV meteorologist Sean Batty.

Glasgow & West

Full list of schools closed as Scotland braces for Storm Eowyn

The Met Office issued the most severe possible warning for Friday between 10am and 5pm, forecasting ‘flying debris resulting in danger to life’.

Met Office

Insight Sean Batty STV meteorologist

Red warnings are very rare and are only issued in exceptional circumstances.

Red warnings come with advice to refrain from travel where possible, and those who can work from home should do so. The good thing is that a lot more people nowadays have the ability, and offices the infrastructure, to allow this to happen more post-Covid.

One of the most significant aspects of this storm is its timing, with the peak expected during daylight hours when more people are likely to be out and about. Storms like this can bring down trees onto roads and railway lines with little warning, and falling debris from buildings poses a serious hazard. For these reasons, staying at home during such periods is much safer.

The warning covers Stirling, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Aberdeenshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, the Highlands, Tayside, Strathclyde, the Scottish Borders and parts of the Lothians.

Additional yellow warnings for snow and wind have also been issued, the first of which comes into force at midnight on Friday.

The storm will bring peak gusts of 60-70 mph fairly widely inland, 70-80 mph in some areas, and 80-90 mph along more exposed coasts and hills, the Met Office said.

Insight

Storm Eowyn could bring most intense weather to hit Scotland in years

Sean Batty

Forecasters warned that flying debris, large waves, and beach debris thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads, and properties could cause injuries and danger to life.

Storm Eowyn is the fifth named storm of the season after Storm Darragh brought strong winds and snow to parts of the UK in December.

STV News

Transpennine Express urged customers not to travel to Scotland, York, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester on Friday.

Road, rail, air, and ferry services may also be affected, with longer journey times and possible cancellations.

Police have urged motorists to avoid unnecessary journeys and to delay travel plans until conditions improve.

Drivers are urged to prepare vehicles for the conditions, ensuring mobile phones are fully charged and journeys are planned in advance, with alternative routes plotted out.

Police added that motorists should ensure they have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case of delays on roads.

Meanwhile HGV and bus drivers have been urged to drive with extreme caution due to risks of high-sided vehicles being blown over. Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should also consider the risks of being blown over or into the path of other road users.

The RNLI has also urged people to stay safe, adding that those near the coast to be aware of the dangers the weather could bring.

The charity said for those who plan to visit the coast during this time, the strong gusts pose a significant risk to safety and it is urging the public to exercise extreme caution, particularly along exposed cliffs, seafronts and piers.

RNLI Water Safety lead for Scotland, Michael Avril, said: “Storm Eowyn is set to bring potentially dangerous and uncertain conditions so we’re asking the public to stay vigilant.

“If you plan to visit the coast, the RNLI advises that you stay a safe distance from the water as conditions could knock you off your feet or wash you into the sea. It is not worth risking your life.

“If you find yourself in trouble unexpectedly in the water, remember to Float to Live; lie back in the water, extend your arms and legs and try to relax as best as you can until you get control of your breathing.

“If you see someone else in danger in the water, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. If you have something that floats that they can hold on to, throw it to them. Don’t go in the water yourself – you could end up in difficulty too.”

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