Scotland is bracing for the first named storm of 2025, as Storm Eowyn brings gusts of up to 90 mph and widespread disruption. The weather warning for high winds has been upgraded from yellow to amber, covering large parts of the country, particularly in the south and central regions.
Storm Eowyn: What to Expect
Storm Eowyn, named by the UK Met Office, is expected to impact Scotland on Friday, with the amber warning running from 06:00 to 21:00. The storm will bring extremely high winds that could pose a serious risk to life due to flying debris, power cuts, and potential damage to buildings.
Met Office forecasters predict wind speeds of 80-90mph in some coastal and hilly areas. Coastal regions and elevated locations are likely to experience the strongest gusts, while inland areas could see winds up to 60 mph, with the Northern Isles facing gusts of 80 mph.
The amber warning covers large swaths of Scotland, including Central Scotland, Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands, Eilean Siar, South West Scotland, Lothian and Borders, and Strathclyde. The storm is likely to cause significant disruption, so residents and visitors are urged to take precautions.
Travel Disruptions Expected Across Scotland
Transport Scotland has issued alerts that the storm’s high winds will cause disruption to road, rail, air, and ferry travel. There may be longer journey times, cancellations, and road closures, including some bridges. Drivers are encouraged to check updates on the Traffic Scotland website, while passengers using public transport should confirm the status of their services with operators.
Scottish Government officials have activated the resilience room, preparing for the expected impacts. Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop emphasized the importance of planning ahead for anyone traveling in the affected areas, especially south and central Scotland, where the amber warning is in place.
“High winds will impact all of the country, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel,” Hyslop said.
Weather Warnings Extend into Saturday
The amber warning will be followed by a yellow warning on Saturday from 00:00 to 15:00, covering all of Scotland. The yellow warning forecasts wind speeds of up to 60 mph inland and 70 mph near the coast. The Northern Isles could experience gusts up to 80 mph during this period, further exacerbating the potential for disruption.
As Storm Eowyn moves through, additional low pressure is expected to bring more wet and windy weather across the UK on Sunday, with the possibility of further weather warnings throughout the weekend and into next week.
What’s Behind Storm Eowyn?
Named after a character from “The Lord of the Rings,” Storm Eowyn is the fifth named storm of the 2024-25 season, which began in October. The storm system is expected to bring heavy rain and worsening conditions across the UK, with strong winds initially hitting the north-western parts of the country on Friday.
Met Office spokeswoman Andrea Bishop warned that the storm could bring very unsettled weather, with potential disruptions continuing into Saturday. “Storm Eowyn will bring a period of very unsettled, potentially disruptive, weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday,” Bishop said.
With conditions expected to worsen, residents in Scotland are urged to stay informed and take appropriate precautions.
