Ireland and Northern Ireland are preparing for a severe storm set to hit early on Friday, prompting the closure of schools, universities, and public transport. The Irish and UK weather agencies issued a red wind warning for the entire region, alerting to potential life-threatening inland winds of up to 130 kilometers (81 miles) per hour from Storm Eowyn.
Keith Leonard, chair of Ireland's National Emergency Coordination Group, emphasized public safety as the top priority during a news conference, stating, The key message remains that people need to shelter in place. Authorities described the storm as one of the most perilous Ireland has faced, predicting widespread power outages, fallen trees, and disruptions to essential services.
This red weather warning is significant as it encompasses the whole of Ireland for the first time since Storm Ophelia in 2017, which resulted in three fatalities. In response to the impending storm, all schools in Ireland and Northern Ireland will be closed on Friday, and public transport services will not operate during the red alert, scheduled from 0200 to 1000 GMT. Northern Ireland will be under the red warning from 0700 to 1400, while western and central areas of Scotland will be affected from 1000 to 1700, according to the UK Met Office.