Storm Éowyn: High winds and rain batter the West Midlands - here's when they are due to stop

Meteorologists are warning of a risk to life on Friday as the fifth named storm of the season arrives.

A wind speed of 114mph brought by Storm Eowyn has been recorded in Ireland, the fastest since records began, forecaster Met Eireann said this morning (Friday, January 24).

Across the UK flights have been delayed, roads closed and ferry services cancelled as 100mph winds pose a danger to life in parts of the country today.

In Birmingham flights to Scotland and Ireland have been cancelled. A road has been closed in Wolverhampton as a tree has fallen. Buses have been diverted from Billy Buns Lane via Wodhouse Lane, Gospel End Road, High Street, Godlthorn Hill Lane, Penn Road. Midland Metro trams are unable to travel to Edgbaston Village as a car has blocked the line - they are running to from Wolverhampton to The Library only.

Elsewhere rail services and flights have been axed, with rare red weather warnings issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Eowyn is likely to damage buildings, uproot trees and cause power cuts, the Met Office said.

Train operator ScotRail suspended all services across Scotland on Friday, saying it “would not be safe to operate passenger services due to forecast weather conditions”.

Dozens of flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports were cancelled on Friday morning due to ongoing weather conditions, while Belfast International warned of significant disruption to flights.

Dublin Airport announced more than 110 scheduled departures and 110 arrivals have been cancelled by airlines for Friday.

Rail services and flights have been axed, with rare red weather warnings issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Eowyn is likely to damage buildings, uproot trees and cause power cuts, the Met Office said.

Train operator ScotRail suspended all services across Scotland on Friday, saying it “would not be safe to operate passenger services due to forecast weather conditions”.

Dozens of flights from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports were cancelled on Friday morning due to ongoing weather conditions, while Belfast International warned of significant disruption to flights.

Dublin Airport announced more than 110 scheduled departures and 110 arrivals have been cancelled by airlines for Friday.

Avon and Somerset reported a number of local roads had been blocked due to fallen trees, advising motorists to “take care when travelling”.

In Wales, Gwent Police confirmed emergency services were working to manage surface flooding on the B4598 Raglan Toward Abergavenny.

How is Storm Éowyn affecting the West Midlands?

Across the West Midlands, a yellow weather warning for wind will be in place today (Friday, January 24) until midnight. Two more yellow weather warnings have been announced by the Met Office for Sunday and Monday. 

Today in and around Wolverhampton wind gusts are currently expected to reach up to 47mph at 1pm. These are due to drop to 15mph by 1am on Saturday. The yellow weather warnings on Sunday and Monday are for heavy rain.

In addition, the Met Office has also placed a yellow weather warning for rain for the western parts of Shropshire and Mid Wales midnight on Friday tonight. Wind gusts are currently forecast to reach up to 59mph at 10am in and around Shrewsbury. Yellow weather warnings for rain have also been issued by the Met Office for Shropshire on Sunday and Monday.

Birmingham Airport has urged passengers to check ahead of travelling as flights are cancelled to Scotland and Ireland. A spokesperson told the Express & Star: "Currently, as there is a yellow Met Office wind warning for us, we anticipate that Birmingham Airport will operate as normal. As always, passengers should check with their airlines."

As previously reported above a road has been closed in Wolverhampton as a tree has fallen. Buses have been diverted from Billy Buns Lane via Wodhouse Lane, Gospel End Road, High Street, Godlthorn Hill Lane, Penn Road. Midland Metro trams are unable to travel to Edgbaston Village as a car has blocked the line - they are running to from Wolverhampton to The Library only.

Residents in St Martins in Oswestry are also with out power this morning - it is expected to return at 9am.

Elsewhere rail services and flights have been axed, with rare red weather warnings issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland as Storm Eowyn is likely to damage buildings, uproot trees and cause power cuts, the Met Office said.

Here's a look at what the Met Office says will happen over the next few days.

Today:

Today will be very windy with Storm Éowyn expected to bring some disruption. Overnight rain will clear to leave a dry, brighter day with sunny spells. Feeling chilly. Maximum temperature 7 °C.

Tonight:

Remaining windy in the north of the region at first but winds continuing to ease overnight. Likely dry with clear periods and turning cold with a rural frost possible. Minimum temperature 1 °C.

Saturday:

A mainly dry day on Saturday with plenty of sunshine, although showers are possible after dark. Light winds but turning breezier later. Temperatures near to the January average. Maximum temperature 6 °C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

After a dry start, turning wet and windy on Sunday. Remaining changeable with showers at times on Monday and Tuesday and often windy. Temperatures close to average.

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Where else is in the UK is affected by Storm Éowyn?

The Police Service of Northern Ireland described the storm as an “exceptional weather event” and said it was expected to bring the strongest winds seen in the country since 1998.

Met Eireann reported the mean wind speed record of 81mph set in 1945 at Foynes Co. Limerick has been broken during the storm.

The Irish weather service said gusts of up to 108mph Mace Head off Ireland’s west coast by 4am on Friday.

Red warnings for wind have been issued by the Met Office in Northern Ireland from 7am until 2pm on Friday, and for western and central areas of Scotland between 10am and 5pm.

Gusts of 80 to 90mph are expected widely inland in the warning areas, with speeds of up to 100mph likely along coasts, the forecaster said.

Amber wind warnings are also in place for Northern Ireland, the southern half of Scotland, northern England and north Wales between 6am and 9pm on Friday, and the northern half of Scotland from 1pm on Friday to 6am on Saturday.

Winds reaching 60 to 70mph will be widespread in these warning areas.

There is a yellow wind warning covering most of the UK for the entirety of Friday.

Smaller yellow warnings for snow in Scotland, from 6am to midnight, and rain in south-west England and Wales until 9am.

National Highways warning for the North of England

RAC Breakdown advised motorists in warnings areas to stay safe by parking away from trees, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, avoid coastal routes and watch out for debris.

Some 4.5 million people received emergency alerts on their phones warning of the incoming storm in the “largest real life use of the tool to date” on Thursday.

Further amber and yellow weather warnings for wind and rain have also been issued across Saturday and Sunday.