Urgent warning for drivers on 3 major motorways as Met Office issues fresh alert – just a day before Storm Eowyn hits
DRIVERS who plan to use three major motorways have been issued a fresh alert ahead of Storm Eowyn.
The Met Office has issued amber warnings for ‘danger to life’ as 90mph gales look set to for the UK in the coming days.
Friday could see “very strong winds” which might spell potential disruption to road, rail, airports and ferry services – as well as power cuts.
London, Oxford, Peterborough, and Norwich just managed to avoid a weather warning, but the rest of the UK has been told to prepare for turbulent conditions from midnight on Friday.
From Plymouth to Inverness, transport services could be impacted with extended delays and long cancellations expected.
Furthermore, on Wesnesday, January 22, a yellow alert for fog came into force at midnight that covers major roads including the M6, M65 and M61 – with forecasters warning fog patches “may cause some travel disruption”.
Holidaymaking drivers are also being warned to expect delays to flights, including those to and from Manchester Airport.
The recent fog warning covers all of Lancashire and surrounding areas including Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside as well as elsewhere in the UK.
The warning states: “Fog patches are expected to develop overnight and during Wednesday morning before gradually clearing through Wednesday.
“Fog will bring visibility to below 100m at times, perhaps causing some travel disruption.”
It added: “Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, leaving extra journey time, or amending plans if necessary.
“Make sure you know how to switch on your fog lights, and check they are working before setting off on your journey.
“Bus and train services, as well as flights and ferry travel may also be affected; check for updates from your travel company and follow their advice.”
This is even before Storm Eowyn, the fifth named storm of the year, hits, as Met Office spokesperson Andrea Bishop said: “Storm Eowyn will bring a period of very unsettled, potentially disruptive, weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday.
“Pronounced ‘Ay-oh-win’, the system will begin to influence the UK’s weather on Friday, with strengthening winds initially in north-western parts of the UK with accompanying heavy rainfall.”
Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone added: “The strongest gusts are likely to be felt across parts of Northern Ireland, northern England, north-western Wales and western Scotland, where exposed sites could get gusts in excess of 80mph, which has the potential to cause impacts for those in these areas.
“There will also be some heavy rain, bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.”