Hundreds of schools to close amid red ‘danger to life’ wind warning
Storm Eowyn is to sweep across Scotland on Friday, with gusts of up to 100mph possible in some areas.
Hundreds of schools will close and police have warned people not to travel in the areas affected by a rare red “danger to life” high wind weather warning issued for parts of Scotland on Friday.
Forecasters warn gusts of up to 100mph could result in flying debris and pose a danger to life, and people are urged stay indoors.
Police said no road users should travel in the red weather warning area on Friday at the peak of Storm Eowyn.
Glasgow, East Ayrshire and East Lothian councils have said all schools and nurseries will be closed on Friday and other areas affected are expected to make announcements.
The Met Office red warning runs from 10am to 5pm and covers the central belt including Glasgow and Edinburgh, stretching north on the west coast to Jura in Argyll and Bute and south to Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway.
Forecasters said the conditions bring a “risk of significant disruption to transport and power supplies as well as dangerous conditions outdoors”, with “very dangerous” driving conditions because of fallen trees.
They also warned of the potential for damage to buildings and homes.
Police Scotland Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan said: “Our advice to any road user is not travelling, and that’s really the message we want to get across today.
“It’s really unusual for us to have a red weather warning and that advice is in place for the duration of that warning.”
She said it is a potentially dangerous situation, and added: “We are working in conjunction with our partners within Transport Scotland to make sure that we are ready for the red warning.
“We’ve obviously had good notice from the Met Office, so we’re just making preparations now in order to make sure we’re ready for whenever it comes.”
In a statement at the Scottish Parliament, First Minister John Swinney said: “The storm could bring winds up to 100mph.
“The Met Office advice is clear, the potential impacts include danger to life, structural damage to property and transport and power disruptions.
“We have to be clear, people should not travel and Police Scotland will issue a formal, do not travel advisory notice shortly.
“Councils will make decisions today on school closures.
“Red weather warnings like this are very rare. Our message is simple, please follow the advice from the Met Office and the police, take this seriously and stay safe.”
Speaking to journalists at Holyrood, the First Minister added the will “make sure all agencies are properly equipped and prepared for the situation”.
It is understood Mr Swinney will chair a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room – Scotland’s answer to Cobra – on Thursday afternoon, with an update likely later in the day.
He said the resilience room was activated on Thursday morning to co-ordinate help and to support Scotland’s frontline responders.
The Scottish Parliament itself will be closed all day on Friday because of the storm.
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body said there will be no access to the building for the public or visitors, with only essential staff on site.
A red warning for wind has also been issued for Northern Ireland.
The whole of the UK is covered by at least one yellow weather warning on Friday, with warnings for snow, wind and rain in place, as it braces for the impact of the fifth named storm of the season.
An amber warning covers the south of Scotland and most of the central belt from 6am on Friday until 9pm.
A yellow wind warning is also in place for the whole of Scotland throughout Friday, and a yellow warning for snow covering much of the country runs from 3am until noon.
Forecast winds of 80mph around the Forth bridges would close the Forth Road Bridge, road management firm Bear Scotland said.
The Queensferry Crossing and Clackmannanshire Bridge would be closed to high-sided vehicles, motorcycles and cars with trailers or roof boxes in these circumstances.
