Strong winds with a sprinkling of snow forecast for Caithness with Storm Éowyn
Storm Éowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption across Caithness on Friday and Saturday.
This is the warning from the Met Office this morning which says there may also be some outbreaks of snow in central parts of the county on Friday morning.
The bulletin states: “Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing to the northeast on Friday night.
“This will bring a spell of very strong west to southwesterly winds, with peak gusts of 60-70mph fairly widely inland, 70-80mph in some areas, and 80-90mph along more exposed coasts and hills - perhaps even higher in a few locations.
“It should be noted that there may be a slight reduction in wind strength for a time as the centre of Storm Éowyn passes overhead, this most likely in parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, before winds rapidly increase again. Winds will gradually ease later on Friday.”
Regarding the snow outbreaks, the Met Office says that rain spreading northeastward on Friday morning will fall as snow initially, especially on hills, before reverting to rain and eventually easing.
“Given the strong winds that will accompany the snow, temporary blizzard conditions are possible over higher ground, with some drifting also possible for a time, this probably more likely north of the Central Belt.”
In a further update posted at 11.36am today (January 22), the agency states: “Strong westerly winds will persist through the first part of Saturday as Storm Éowyn moves away to the northeast, with gusts of 50-60 mph inland and 60-70 mph on some exposed coasts and hills.
“There is a chance of 70-80 mph gusts across the Northern Isles for a time. Winds will ease across southern parts of the warning area during the early hours of Saturday, and this easing in wind strength will extend northwards through the day on Saturday.”
What to expect
• 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
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