Storm Eowyn Met Office weather map shows where in the North East will see strongest winds
by Catherine Addison-Swan · ChronicleLiveThe UK is braced for the arrival of Storm Eowyn on Friday, January 24, with an Amber weather warning issued for very strong winds across the North East.
The warning will be in force from 6am until 9pm on Friday, with widespread gusts of 60-70mph expected throughout the day which could increase to as high as 90mph along the coast and hills. The storm is also forecast to bring heavy rain and some snow into the weekend, with the Met Office warning of potentially "severe" travel disruption as well as power cuts and damage to buildings.
Latest weather maps from the Met Office show that wind gusts will pick up sharply across the North East in the early hours of Friday morning, quickly exceeding 50mph in most parts of the region by 6am. Gales will continue to strengthen throughout the morning, with the strongest winds forecast to hit by midday.
At 12pm on Friday, the most northern areas of Northumberland are expected to see the biggest impact, with gusts set to reach 79mph in Berwick. However, the rest of the region will not escape the storm, with Hartlepool down at the other end of the region close to the County Durham border forecast to see 67mph winds at midday.
Elsewhere in the region, gusts are likely to remain in the high sixties or low seventies in most areas throughout the afternoon, peaking at 72mph in Newcastle, 69mph in Sunderland, and 74-75mph across Northumberland in Alnwick and Hexham. Winds will very slowly begin to ease off as the evening approaches, but are not expected to drop into the forties until Saturday morning.
The Met Office has advised that when the Amber weather warning is in force, road, rail, air and ferry services are likely to be impacted by the storm, with longer journey times and cancellations anticipated on public transport. Forecasters have also warned of injuries and "danger to life" from flying debris as well as large waves and beach material at the coast.
In addition, rail passengers have been advised not to travel in the severe weather, with LNER confirming that no trains will be operating north of Newcastle in either direction from 11am on Friday. Meanwhile, driving conditions are expected to be significantly impacted, with some roads and bridges likely to close in the high winds.
Mark Nash, Duty Manager at National Highways, said: "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."
Those living in the warning area are urged to protect themselves and others by ensuring their property is secure, checking for loose items outside the home that could be blown away in strong winds such as bins, garden furniture, sheds and fences. The Met Office also recommends staying up to date with the latest weather forecast, as warnings could change quickly when Eowyn hits.
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