Large waves and flying debris caused by Storm Éowyn will pose “a danger to life” threat on Friday, the Met Office says after it named its fifth storm of the meteorological year
Monster gales of up to 90mph will batter large parts of the UK on Friday – and be so destructive they’ll pose a “danger to life”.
Three weather warnings are in place on Friday across the country as the Met Office advises Brits to prepare for Storm Éowyn, its fifth named storm of the meteorological year.
The fiercest gales, expected on Friday morning, will affect parts of Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria. They will ease somewhat by the afternoon, but by this time the damage may have already been done as roofs are likely to be blown off and power lines could be brought down across the UK.
The Met Office says on its website: “Injuries and danger to life could occur from flying debris, as well as large waves and beach material being thrown onto seafronts, coastal roads and properties… There is a chance that damage to buildings and homes could occur, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down.”
Weather maps issued by Ventusky, a meteological service, show the storm will hit the UK by around 8am on Friday, after initially careering over Ireland. Wind speeds then will be between 80mph and 90mph along the north Wales coastline, including at Anglesey.
They will then gather pace across Merseyside and Lancashire, hitting the 90mph mark at various points across the counties, before moving northwards. They will be particular destructive across the Lake District in Cumbria by mid morning and then work their way across Northumberland by noon.
Tyne and Wear will be the brunt – again a 90mph force – of the gales in the afternoon, the weather maps suggest. The East Lothian coast, between the English border and Edinburgh, will endure fierce gales throughout Friday afternoon.
Writing on its website, the Met Office adds: “Storm Éowyn is expected to pass close to or across the northwest of the UK on Friday before clearing to the northeast on Saturday.
“Whilst there is some uncertainty in the track of Éowyn, a spell of very strong winds is likely, initially southeasterly before turning westerly, with peak gusts of 60-70 mph inland and 80-90 mph along some coasts and hills (perhaps even higher in a few locations).”
Each of Friday’s weather warnings – all for wind – expire at 11.59pm. However, a fresh one on Saturday – again for wind – concerns all of Scotland until 3pm details risks of “longer journey times or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected”.
All areas expected to see 90mph gales on Friday
