Storm Éowyn: rare red weather warning in place for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland
The first named storm of 2025, will arrive in the UK on Thursday 23 January bringing strong winds, heavy rain and snow with the worst of the weather forecast for Friday.
British Red Cross support during a storm
Red weather warnings for wind are forecast for Northern Ireland, and West and central areas of Scotland for Friday 24 January as Storm Éowyn arrives in the UK.
The first named storm of 2025, the Met Office has also issued amber and yellow weather warnings for rain and wind across many parts of the UK this weekend beginning on Thursday 23 until Tuesday 28 January.
In the UK, a storm is named by the Met Office when it has the potential to cause disruption or damage and is based on information from the National Severe Weather Warnings service. Disruption to travel and energy supplies is likely as well as potential damage to property and infrastructure. British Red Cross teams across the UK will be on standby to support where local authorities require it.
What is a red weather warning?
Red is the most serious UK weather warning issued by the Met Office and means “dangerous weather is expected” and “is it likely that there will be a risk to life”.
Met Office chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “We reserve the issuing of Red Warnings for the most severe weather which represents a likely danger to life and severe disruption, and that is the case with Storm Éowyn.
“While it will be widely very windy on Friday, with additional hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most significant impacts are likely in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern parts of Scotland within the Red Warning areas, where winds could gust 80-90 mph quite widely for a time, and potentially up to 100 mph for exposed coasts in particular.”
Red Cross staff and volunteers responding to storms in the UK
Prepare for Storm Éowyn
If you live in an area where weather warnings are forecast this weekend, make sure to take steps to ensure your own safety and that of your property. Storms conditions can often result in flooding and power cuts and it’s important you are prepared and know what to do. Follow our simple storm preparation steps to protect yourself, and your home.
Red Cross staff and volunteers supporting after Storm Bert in Pontypridd, South Wales November 2024
Red Cross support during extreme weather
Storm Éowyn is the fifth named storm of the 2024/2025 season following Ashley, Bert, Conall and Darragh which caused widespread disruption in the last few months of 2024. In December, storm Darragh left tens of thousands of people without out power for several days while heavy rainfall from Storm Bert caused “significant river and surface-water flooding across much of England”, according to the Environment Agency.
British Red Cross staff and volunteers supported in affected communities including in Pontypridd, South Wales where essential supplies were provided and welfare checks were carried out.
Responding to extreme weather in the UK
Flooding, freezing temperatures and snow cause disruption across the country
British Red Cross teams are supporting at cold weather shelters and rest centres in flood-affected areas
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