Warning: Yellow

To expect: Wind

Affected area: Multiple, listed below

Start time estimate: Friday 1am

End time estimate: Saturday 12am

The Met Office has issued an updated Yellow wind alert for several regions across the UK for Friday and Saturday, with conditions linked to Storm Éowyn.

The warning is covering parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, North East England, North West England, Northern Ireland, Orkney and Shetland, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde, Yorkshire and Humber. All local areas affected are listed below.

High winds are expected to lash the regions, arriving across the areas at around 1am on Friday and will continue sweeping through until Saturday 12am.

The updated Yellow warning for wind was announced at 11:40am on Monday, January 20.

A Met Office forecast said: “Storm Éowyn will move across the north of the UK this evening, clearing to the northeast overnight. This will bring a spell of strong west or southwesterly winds with peak gusts of 50-60 mph inland, 60-70 mph around some coasts and hills, and over 80 mph in exposed parts of northern UK. Note that in addition to this warning, amber warnings remain in force for parts of Scotland.”

What to expect

Power cuts are likely to occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.

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.

Road, rail, air and ferry services are likely to be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. Some roads and bridges may close.

Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen.

What should you do during strong gusts?

Prepare to protect your property and people from injury.

Check for loose items outside your home and plan how you could secure them. Items include: bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences.

Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.

People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It’s easy to do: consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.

If you are on the coast, stay safe during stormy weather by being aware of large waves. Even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea.

Take care if walking near cliffs; know your route and keep dogs on a lead. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly. When a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.

For further details see https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings.

Full list of local areas affected

Central, Tayside and Fife
Angus, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Stirling

Grampian
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray

Highlands and Eilean Siar
Eilean Siar, Highland

North East England
Darlington, Durham, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland, Redcar and Cleveland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, Sunderland

North West England
Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside

Northern Ireland
County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Fermanagh, County Londonderry, County Tyrone

Orkney and Shetland
Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands

SW Scotland, Lothian Borders
Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian

Strathclyde
Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire

Yorkshire and Humber
North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

What is an updated yellow weather warning?

The Met Office has three categories of weather warning, depending on the likely impact of severe weather and also how likely it is to strike in a particular area.

A yellow warning is issued when weather conditions are expected to disrupt travel and traffic and may impact on daily routines but are not likely to pose a risk to life or property.

An amber warning is more severe and advises people to think about changing their plans to minimise the risk.

A red warning means weather conditions are expected to be dangerous with widespread damage to property and a risk to life, with the public usually advised to avoid travelling.

The Yellow weather alert for wind will remain in effect until 12am on Saturday.