Is it safe to drive during red weather warning? Expert advice as Storm Éowyn hits Northern Ireland
A rare red weather warning has been issued for Northern Ireland as Storm Éowyn approaches. The wind alert is in place from 7am on Friday morning, January 24, with "widespread disruption" expected.
This is the first red warning issued for Northern Ireland since the Met Office moved to impact-based warnings in 2011. After Storm Éowyn on Friday and early on Saturday, further wet and windy weather is likely on Sunday and at the start of next week, with further warnings issued.
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.
Read more: Met Office advice on what to expect during red weather warning
Read more: Further weekend weather warning after red alert issued for NI
“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.”
As for whether it is safe to drive during the red alert, a spokesperson for the Met Office said: "Keep yourself and others safe; avoid travelling by road during potentially dangerous conditions. It is not safe to drive in these conditions."
Travel conditions are likely to be severely disrupted in the coming days. Mark Nash, Duty Manager at National Highways, said: “We are expecting high winds and rain to hit most parts of the country later this week.
"If you're planning to drive over the next few days, prepare in advance for the journey and take extra care on the roads. If weather conditions become challenging, adjust your driving behaviour to manage the conditions as safely as possible.
"We have a section of our website dedicated to travelling in storms, high winds and gales, and considerations for different types of vehicles, as part of our guide to travelling in severe weather."
The acronym TRIP is an easy way for drivers to remember the four simple steps to take to prepare ahead of using motorways and major A roads this winter:
Top-up: Fuel, oil, and screen wash
Rest: Plan regular stops every two hours to avoid driver fatigue
Inspect: Check tyre pressure and tread
Prepare: Have a plan for severe weather conditions
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen continued: “Storm Éowyn is a multi-hazard event, with snow likely for some, rain for many and strong wings for much of the UK. As a result, a number of weather warnings have been issued, with all parts of the UK covered by one warning at some point on Friday.
“Storm Éowyn is expected to cross Northern Ireland early on Friday morning. It will then continue northeast across the northern half of Scotland during Friday afternoon and is expected to be centred near Shetland during Friday evening.
“It’s important to note that even those away from the immediate Red Warning areas will still likely see disruptive weather, with travel plans likely to be severely impacted, as well as the possibility of power cuts for some.”
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