Education Minister makes major schools announcement ahead of "very dangerous conditions"
All schools in Northern Ireland are to shut on Friday due to red weather warning issued by the Met Office as Storm Éowyn. Three wind warnings will be in effect across the country on Friday, January 24.
A yellow warning for wind comes into place from midnight on Friday morning until 11.59pm, an amber warning for wind has been issued from 6am to 9pm and a new red warning will be in place from 7am to 2pm. The red warning is the Met Office's most severe under the colour-coding system introduced in 2011, and it is the first time such an alert has ever been issued for Northern Ireland.
The forecaster said: "Very strong winds associated with Storm Éowyn causing very dangerous conditions with widespread disruption and significant impacts expected."
Read more: Storm Éowyn LIVE as Met Office issue red warning for Northern Ireland
Announcing the closure of schools, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said: "The Met Office has issued a red alert, which covers all of Northern Ireland from 7am on Friday until 2pm and is warning of "very dangerous conditions" and "widespread disruption".
Education Minister Paul Givan said: “A red weather warning has been issued for Storm Éowyn and the Education Authority has advised that all schools should close tomorrow.
“I understand this will impact on the work of schools and indeed on other businesses and services, but the decision has been taken to avoid any potential risk to life for children and young people as well as staff. Schools should put plans in place today for remote learning so that pupils can study at home.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.