Warning: Red
To expect: Wind
Affected areas: Central, Tayside and Fife, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde
Start time estimate: Friday 11am
End time estimate: Friday 6pm
The Met Office has issued an updated Red wind warning for Central, Tayside and Fife, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders and Strathclyde for Friday amid Storm Éowyn.
The warning is covering parts of Central, Tayside and Fife, SW Scotland, Lothian Borders, Strathclyde. All local areas affected are listed below.
The regions will be affected by gale-force winds, starting at around 11am on Friday. The high winds will continue battering the areas until 6pm.
The updated Red warning for wind was announced at 10:58am on Thursday, January 23.
A Met Office forecast said: “Southwesterly then westerly winds will rapidly increase from west to east Friday mid-morning onwards into the afternoon, with peak gusts of 80-90 mph fairly widely and perhaps up to 100 mph along exposed western coasts. This brings the risk of significant disruption to transport and power supplies as well as dangerous conditions outdoors. Winds will gradually ease through Friday evening.”
What to expect
Flying debris resulting in danger to life; Very dangerous driving conditions with fallen trees on roads; Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down; Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights; Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage; Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes.
What should you do?
Keep yourself and others safe; avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions. It is not safe to drive in these conditions. Don’t risk injury to others or damage to your property. If you can do so safely, check for loose items outside your home and secure them. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, and fences. Being outside in high winds makes you vulnerable to injury. Stay indoors if you can. 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 live or work on the coast, beware of large waves, even from the shore large breaking waves can sweep you off your feet and out to sea. In an emergency, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow advice from emergency services and local authorities. 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
Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Fife, Stirling
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
What is an updated red 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 Red weather alert for wind will remain in effect until 6pm on Friday.