Events are starting to be ‘cancelled’ or ‘restricted’ in parts of Herefordshire, with Storm Eowyn expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain on Friday.
Herefordshire looks set to miss the worst of the conditions, with gusts of 90-100mph possible across parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Northern England and North Wales.
Gusts of up to 60-65mph are still possible across Herefordshire, and combined with heavy rain, there is likely to be some travel issues with fallen trees and surface water flooding likely.
Leominster Town Council have confirmed that the Friday market in Etnam Street has been cancelled due to the weather forecast.
A post on social media said:
‘Due to the weather warning in place for the coming weekend, for the safety of the public, Market Traders and our staff, we have unfortunately had to cancel the Friday Market in Etnam Street Car Park on 24th January, based on advice from The Met Office, NABMA and the local authority.
‘We thank you for your understanding and look forward to welcoming you to support our traders next week.’
St Martin’s FoodShare in Hereford have also issued an update on their social media pages:
‘It’s going to be windy on Friday – we don’t want anyone to be hit by flying bread or speeding carrots.
‘At the moment FoodShare will go ahead at Belmont Community Centre but will be a REDUCED offering.
‘If you don’t feel safe, please stay at home!
Please don’t get there too early!
‘We expect to bring bread and anything else that won’t last until Monday, but we’d be much happier to see you in the calm on Monday than in the wind on Friday.
‘Of course if the situation improves we will update you.
‘Stay safe, take care.’
The Met Office has issued two warnings for Herefordshire, with one for strong winds and the other for heavy rain.
Wind Warning – Valid 0000-2359 Friday:
‘Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing to the northeast on Friday night.
‘This will bring a spell of strong winds, initially south to southeasterly before turning west to southwesterly, with peak gusts of 50-60 mph inland, 60-70 mph around some coasts and hills, and perhaps up to 80 mph in exposed parts of western Scotland.
‘It should be noted that there may be a slight reduction in wind strength for a time as the centre of Storm Éowyn passes overhead, this most likely in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, before winds rapidly increase again.
‘The wind strength will gradually ease across southern areas later on Friday.’
Warning link – https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2025-01-23
Rain Warning – Valid 0000-0900 Friday:
‘A band of heavy rain will move northeast across this area later on Thursday night, clearing to the east on Friday morning.
‘Accumulations of 15-25 mm are expected fairly widely, with as much as 40-60 mm over high ground, which may result in some surface water flooding in places.’
Warning link – https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2025-01-23
Storm Éowyn will bring very strong winds as well as heavy rain and snow for some on Friday.
The system could bring gusts in excess of 80mph on exposed coasts in Northern Ireland, northern England, northwestern Wales and western Scotland.
An Amber National Severe Weather Warning for wind has been issued, along with new warnings for snow, wind and rain.
Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing to the northeast on Friday night and will initially bring snow for some, with accompanying rain and wind. This has the potential to cause travel disruption, power cuts and damage to building and homes.
A change from Thursday
Recent relatively benign conditions, albeit with plenty of grey skies, are likely to continue through Wednesday, with some outbreaks of rain in places.
However, a major change in the UK’s weather starts on Thursday, as a front bringing heavy rain moves eastwards through the day.
Conditions turn both wet and windy during the early hours on Friday morning as Storm Éowyn arrives, with rain starting off as snow over parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland and higher ground in northern England.
A Yellow warning for winds in western parts of Wales, southwest England and the southern coast of England has been issued from 07:00 until 18:00 on Thursday.
Storm Éowyn disruption on Friday
Storm Éowyn, pronounced ‘Ay-oh-win’, will begin to influence the UK’s weather early on Friday, with strengthening winds initially in southwestern parts of the UK with accompanying heavy rainfall.
This will quickly spread northeast to the rest of the UK during Friday morning.
There is also a chance of snow over Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland as the system initially bumps into cold air, however much of this will quickly change to rain as milder air moves in.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “Storm Éowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption on Friday. There are currently a number of weather warnings in place, 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.
“The strongest wind gusts are likely to be felt across parts of Northern Ireland, southern and central Scotland, northern England and northwest Wales, where exposed sites could get gusts in excess of 80mph, possibly 90mph, which has the potential to cause impacts for those in these areas. The focus for the highest winds shifts to Scotland on Friday night into Saturday.
“An Amber weather warning for wind has been issued and covers Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland and northern England for most of the day on Friday before winds gradually ease later in the day.”
Storm Éowyn will also bring heavy rain, which starts off as snow in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, as well as over higher ground in northern England.
The snow over Northern Ireland will fall before dawn though. A Yellow warning for snow has been issued.
A Yellow warning for rain has also been issued across much of Wales and southwest England, where as much as 40-60 mm could be seen over high ground, which may result in some surface water flooding in places.
Advice
Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather in your area.
Visit WeatherReady for practical tips and advice for preparing for severe weather.
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
