Ireland, Scotland Bracing For Worst Storm In Generations

Satellite view of Storm Eowym bearing down
on the UK looks splotchy, but it is expected to
be one of the worst storms on record for Ireland,
Northern Ireland and Scotland. 

 A horrific storm was bearing down on Ireland, Scotland and other parts of the northern UK as forecasters warn of major wind destruction. 

The Met Office, the British equivalent of the U.S. National Weather Service, has issued its highest level alert, known as a red warning, for those in the path of what has been named Storm Eowyn. 

 Red warnings are rarely issued. 

Winds in the storm zone were forecast to gust into the 80 to 100 mph range, which is much stronger than almost any of the intense winter storms that often buffet the British Isles. 

Per The Guardian:

"The red warnings, an upgrade of existing amber warnings, cover all of Northern Ireland and parts of central and southern Scotland, including Edinburgh, Glasgow and Ayr. 

The UK government said more than 4.5 million people in Northern Ireland and Scotland have received emergency alerts - a 10 second siren sound - on their mobile phones on Thursday evening, the largest real life use of the tool to date."

The Met Office people under these warnings should expect flying debris that would be a danger to life, damage to homes and other buildings including roofs blown off, impassable roads due to fallen trees and power lines, large, battering waves that could destroy seaside homes and businesses, and widespread power outages. 

Ahead of Storm Eowyn, the Scottish government said its Parliament building would shut down Friday, as would all train service. Most schools and universities were also shuttering.  Scottish Police said they would soon issue a do not travel notice, telling people not to drive or otherwise travel anywhere during the storm. 

Police in Northern Ireland also urged everyone to shelter in place as they anticipated the worst winds since at least the 1998 Boxing Day storm. Others meteorologists are saying this will be the strongest storm to hit the region since 1961.

UK meteorologists have been sounding the alarm bells all days. "This is one major storm. I've not seen anything like it in my career," said Scottish weather presenter Judith Ralston.  Wave heights near the western coast of Ireland could end up being the highest on record. 

As in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland have suspended train and other public transit services.  

Ahead of the main storm, an apparent tornado touched down in Newquay, Cornwall earlier today, damaging several homes. 

 At midday Thursday, Storm Eowyn was well southeast of Greenland, racing toward Ireland while continuing to strengthen quickly. It should hit Ireland tonight, and the rest of the UK, including Scotland Friday. 

I'm sure I'll have an update on this once it hits.