Edinburgh given “danger to life” amber warning as “weather bomb” approaches 

THE MET Office has issued an amber weather warning for parts of the UK, including Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

Storm Éowyn is expected to bring widespread disruption to the country tomorrow, with high winds causing a potential threat to life. 

The storm has been described as a “weather bomb”, or explosive cyclogenesis, due to pressure changes that will occur in the next 12 to 16 hours. 

Edinburgh has also been given a yellow wind warning for Saturday. 

The Met Office shared yesterday: “The low pressure named Storm Éowyn currently has a central air pressure of 1001hPa, but this is expected to drop by 62hPa in the next 30 hours. 

“This is known as explosive cyclogenesis or a weather bomb and will bring damaging winds to some areas on Friday.” 

Whilst Edinburgh and much of the UK initially received a yellow weather warning for midnight tonight until Saturday afternoon, this was updated to an amber warning from Manchester up to Dundee, including Northern Ireland. 

The warning is in place from 6am – 9pm tomorrow and advice states: “Power cuts are likely to occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. 

“Road, rail, air and ferry services are likely to be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible.  

“Some roads and bridges will close. There is a chance that damage to buildings and homes could occur, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down. 

“Injuries and danger to life could occur from flying debris, as well as large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.” 

The City of Edinburgh Council posted to social media yesterday saying: “Update: This weather warning for wind covering Edinburgh has now been upgraded to Amber for Friday 24 January. 

“A further yellow weather warning for snow has also been issued for Friday 24 January. 

“Stay safe and plan ahead: https://weather.metoffice.gov.uk/forecast/gcvwr3zrw#?date=2025-01-22” 

UPDATE: Since this article was written, the weather warning put in place for Friday 24th January has been changed to red for 10am to 5pm. The Met Office warns of “very strong winds associated with Storm Éowyn causing very dangerous conditions and significant disruption on Friday”.