Met Office Issues ‘Danger to Life’ Alert as Storm Eowyn Approaches

Scotland: This weekend, Scotland is gearing up for some wild weather. The Met Office has issued a yellow snow alert and amber wind warnings as Storm Éowyn rolls in. We’re talking gusts hitting up to 90mph in some coastal and hilly spots, while inland areas might see winds around 80mph.

In the central belt, especially around Glasgow and Edinburgh, they’re expecting up to 25cm of snow in higher areas. It’s going to be a snowy mess, with blizzard-like conditions likely in the hills. The snow is set to stretch a whopping 350 miles from northern England all the way into Scotland, starting early Friday.

The Met Office is warning about “temporary blizzard conditions” and drifting snow, particularly north of the central belt. Central and western Scotland could also get drenched with up to 32cm of rain, raising the flood risk.

Storm Éowyn is caused by a low-pressure system meeting cooler northern air. It’s expected to move through quickly, but it could really mess with transport and road conditions. While the snow might ease up in the south, it could stick around in the Highlands for the weekend.

A Met Office spokesperson mentioned that rain will start moving northeast on Friday morning, falling as snow at first, especially on the hills, before turning back to rain. They’re predicting 15-25 cm of snow above 300m, along with strong winds and those pesky blizzard conditions.

Flooding is a real concern with this extreme weather. They’re warning that road, rail, air, and ferry services could be disrupted, leading to longer travel times and possible cancellations. Some roads and bridges might even close.

There’s a chance of damage to buildings, with roofs getting blown off and power lines downed. The warning also highlights the risk of injuries and danger to life from flying debris, as well as large waves crashing onto coastal roads and properties.

Stay safe out there, folks!