Storm Eowyn Impacts UK: Widespread School Closures and Travel Disruptions
Storm Eowyn, bringing winds of up to 114mph, has caused significant disruptions across the UK, leading to widespread school closures and travel chaos. Red weather warnings, the highest level of alert, were issued for Northern Ireland, western and central Scotland, and the Isle of Man, signifying a direct threat to life. Amber warnings covered a broader swathe of the UK, including northern England and north Wales, while yellow warnings for wind encompassed most of the nation. The storm’s ferocity prompted authorities to urge residents to stay home and avoid any non-essential travel.
All schools in Northern Ireland were ordered closed, affecting every council area. First Minister Michelle O’Neill emphasized the severity of the red alert, stating it represented a "genuine threat to life." Further education institutions also closed, and airports remained under close review. In Scotland, the majority of councils implemented full school closures, with only a handful of areas, like Fife, Falkirk, Stirling, and Edinburgh, remaining open. Aberdeenshire Council provided a detailed list of individual school closures due to the dangerous conditions. First Minister John Sweeney echoed the call for caution, advising residents against travel and emphasizing the rarity of such severe red weather warnings.
The storm’s impact extended beyond school closures, severely disrupting transportation networks. Ronaldsway Airport on the Isle of Man remained closed, and flight tracking data revealed the cancellation of at least 334 flights across the region. Ferry services operated by Calmac on Scotland’s west coast and Steam Packet Ferries between Heysham and the Isle of Man were also cancelled due to the treacherous sea conditions. ScotRail suspended all train services throughout Scotland, deeming it unsafe to operate passenger services in the extreme winds.
Further disruptions affected various train operators, including Avanti West Coast, Lumo, CrossCountry, and Grand Central, who advised passengers against travel on routes across northern Wales, Scotland, and northern England. Road closures were also implemented, with the A66 and the A628 Woodhead Pass closed due to strong winds. The M48 Severn Bridge and Tamar Bridge faced closures or restrictions for high-sided vehicles. Fallen trees blocked several local roads in Avon and Somerset.
The Met Office described Storm Eowyn’s potential impact as including damage to buildings, uprooted trees, and power cuts. The Police Service of Northern Ireland called the storm an "exceptional weather event," predicting the strongest winds experienced since 1998. Gusts of 80 to 90 mph were forecast inland within the red warning areas, with coastal areas potentially experiencing gusts of up to 100 mph. The widespread amber warnings predicted winds of 60 to 70 mph, highlighting the extensive reach of the storm’s impact.
The red warnings for wind were in effect for Northern Ireland from 7 am to 2 pm and for western and central Scotland from 10 am to 5 pm. Amber warnings for Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, northern England, and north Wales spanned from 6 am to 9 pm, while northern Scotland remained under an amber warning from 1 pm Friday to 6 am Saturday. The widespread yellow wind warning covered most of the UK throughout Friday, accompanied by yellow warnings for snow in Scotland and rain in southwest England and Wales.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen stressed the seriousness of the red warnings, emphasizing that they are reserved for weather events posing a significant danger to life and causing major disruptions. He highlighted the particularly severe conditions expected in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern Scotland within the red warning zones, where gusts of 80-90 mph, and potentially up to 100 mph on exposed coasts, were forecast. The widespread nature of the strong winds, coupled with additional hazards from rain and snow, underlined the severity of Storm Eowyn and the need for utmost precaution. The UK braced itself for the ongoing impacts of this powerful storm, while emergency services and authorities remained on high alert to address any arising situations.
