UPDATE: Agencies shut and flights cancelled on Friday as Storm Eowyn hits – latest here

So severe are the warnings that agencies in the Republic of Ireland and Scotland have advised clients they will be closed on Friday (24 January) as a precaution.

According to the Met Office, Storm Eowyn – the first named storm of 2025 – could pose “danger to life” bringing winds of up to 100mph, as well as rain and snow.

The Foreign Office has also advised travellers to Ireland to check travel plans in advance and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Rare red warnings for wind have been issued for all of Northern Ireland, as well as central and south-west Scotland, including Glasgow and Edinburgh, on Friday.

Amber warnings for wind will take effect across much of northern England and the rest of Scotland tomorrow, where there is also a yellow snow warning.

The weather will move further north late on Friday and into Saturday (25 January), with a further amber wind warning set to come into effect in northern areas of Scotland on Saturday.

There is also a yellow warning for rain across western areas – the South West, Wales and the West Midlands – and a yellow warning for wind across most of England on Friday.

The European Storm Forecast Experiment, meanwhile, has issued a warning for a possible level two tornados in southern England 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,” said Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone.

“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.”

Airports across the UK and Ireland have urged travellers to allow extra time to complete their journeys to their departure airports, as the weather could create queues and delays.

Glasgow airport has told customers to stay in touch with their respective airlines, while Edinburgh airport announced operations will be limited on Friday but it will continue to work alongside airlines to facilitate services.

For its part, Scottish agency Thorne Travel has echoed the airports’ calls, telling customers to check their flights’ status before heading to the airport.

"We are actively contacting our customers directly, but we wanted to make sure everyone is aware of the situation," it said in a Facebook post.

Belfast International airport has instead called for caution, telling passengers disembarkation procedures will not be attempted in extremely high winds while Gatwick has called on passengers not to turn up too early and risk causing congestion in the terminal.

EasyJet, British Airways and Aer Lingus have all warned passengers of potential disruption to services, urging them to check the status of their flights before heading to their departure airports.

“Our teams are monitoring the situation and if anything changes you will be notified by text or email with further information,” British Airways said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “If you don’t hear from us, your flight will still be operating as scheduled.”

Atlantic Travel in the Irish town of Letterkenny has pre-emptively warned clients it will be closed on Friday due to the red weather warning.

"Due to the red weather warning in place for Donegal, Atlantic Travel will be closed tomorrow [Friday 24 January] for the safety of our staff and clients," it said in a Facebook post. "Our team is currently contacting all clients scheduled to travel tomorrow to provide assistance."

Ayr-based agency the Good Travel Company has also decided to shut its doors on Friday, telling customers their safety and that of staff was its top priority.

"We understand this may be inconvenient, especially as January is such a busy time for booking holidays," the agency said in a Facebook post. "We know many of you are eager to get your 2025 (and beyond) travel plans sorted, and we’re sorry for any disruption this may cause.

Meanwhile, the media and trade morning at Dublin’s Holiday World Show has been postponed to Friday afternoon between 5pm and 7pm owing to the severe weather conditions.

TTG will be updating this story as we receive more information about the predicting impacts of the storm.