section_path: Warnings and preparations/United Kingdom
section_name: United Kingdom
paragraph_text: United Kingdom
  
  According to Met Office forecasts, Storm Éowyn was expected to bring strong winds to much of the UK, with gusts of up to 121 km/h (75 mph) inland and 130 km/h (80 mph) in coastal areas, particularly in Northern Ireland, northern England, northwestern Wales, and southern central Scotland. Heavy rainfall was predicted to affect many areas, causing disruptions. The forecast also predicted that some initial snow might fall in northern areas, transitioning to rain as milder air moved in.
  
  As of 16:30, three yellow wind warnings were in force: one for Scotland and Shetland, another for more central parts of England, northern England, and Northern Ireland. There had also been another for the southwest of England, the entire south coast, and through the northwest Midlands.
  
  Yellow weather warnings for "very strong winds" were issued across the UK for a 24-hour period on 24 January 2025, covering the East Midlands, West Midlands, London and southeast England, northwest England, southwest England, Wales, Yorkshire, and Humber. On 22 January 2025, the Met Office issued an amber wind warning covering north Wales, north midlands, northern England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland. Winds in the amber warning area were expected to reach 97–113 km/h (60–70 mph) inland, 110–130 km/h (70–80 mph) in some areas, and potentially over 140 km/h (90 mph) in exposed coastal and hilly regions. Winds would briefly decrease as the storm's centre passes, primarily affecting Northern Ireland and western Scotland, before intensifying again. A rare red warning for extreme and damaging winds was issued for Northern Ireland and Southern Central Scotland. Winds in the red warning zone were expected to reach 121–129 km/h (75–80 mph) inland (higher winds for Glasgow around 129–137 km/h (80–85 mph)) and 137–153 km/h (85–95 mph), possibly 160 km/h (100 mph) on coasts. Winds would gradually ease later on 24 January 2025, although some strong winds could still affect Scotland. Also, a new yellow wind warning was issued for East Anglia, the East Midlands, the south-east and the London area. An additional amber weather warning was added at 13:00 on 24 January until 06:00 on 25 January, covering most of Scotland. Within the warning area, gusts of 64–80 km/h (40–50 mph) were likely for a time, perhaps higher on exposed coasts and hills, before easing through the afternoon.
  
  On 23 January 2025, a 'red' emergency alert was sent to mobile devices across Northern Ireland at 17:25 UTC and in parts of Scotland at 17:53 UTC. The alert was broadcast to around 4.5 million devices making it the largest scale use of the UK's emergency alert system since its introduction in April 2023.
  
  Additional areas expected to be affected included Tayside and Fife, Grampian, Highlands and Eilean Siar, Northern Ireland, Orkney and Shetland, southwest Scotland, Lothian Borders, and Strathclyde. A further yellow wind warning has been issued for parts of northern England and Scotland on Saturday. A yellow snow warning was issued for central and northern Scotland where outbreaks of rain spreading north-eastward on the morning of 24 January will fall as snow initially, especially on hills, before reverting to rain and eventually easing. Any accumulations across northern England and southern Scotland will be fairly short-lived and largely on hills, where 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) may accumulate in places above 100 m (330 ft) elevation and 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) above 300 m (980 ft). Snow will probably persist for longer north of the Central Belt of Scotland, where as much as 15–25 cm (5.9–9.8 in) is possible above 300 m (980 ft). Given the strong winds expected to accompany the snow, temporary blizzard conditions were considered possible over higher ground, with some drifting also possible for a time, this was probably more likely north of the Central Belt.