EOWYN'S WRATH
Watch moment ‘tornado’ strikes house as Met Office warns of 100mph Storm Eowyn hitting in HOURS – check map of locations
See the warning map below
THIS is the moment a suspected tornado hit a house - as the Met Office issued a red weather warning with Storm Éowyn set to bring 100mph winds in just hours.
Residents watched on in horror as trees were uprooted, car windows smashed and roof tiles blown off in Quintrell Downs in Cornwall between 9.30am and 9.45am on Thursday.
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The Met Office told the The Sun: "All the evidence we've seen is consistent with there having been a tornado in Cornwall."
The rare warning covers the whole of Northern Ireland between 7am and 2pm and in parts of southern Scotland between 10pm and 5pm, with widespread disruption expected.
Alerts were sent to about 4.5million people in at least 28 areas of both Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Train operator ScotRail has suspended all services across Scotland on Friday because it would "not be safe to operate passenger services due to the forecast weather conditions".
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Forecasters are warning of flying debris resulting in danger to life, as well as "very dangerous" driving conditions because of fallen trees.
There may also be power cuts, damage to buildings and homes, and delays and cancellations to bus, train, ferry services and flights.
All schools in Northern Ireland have been advised to close on Friday amid a rare red warning for wind issued for Storm Eowyn, Stormont's Education Minister Paul Givan has said.
He said: "I understand this will impact on the work of schools and indeed on other businesses and services, but the decision has been taken to avoid any potential risk to life for children and young people as well as staff.
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"Schools should put plans in place today for remote learning so that pupils can study at home."
Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Ministers have also urged the public to avoid travel where they can on Friday.
'Looking a little bit worse' Weather experts warns of 'danger to life' as Storm Eowyn swoops in
Michelle O'Neill and Emma Little-Pengelly spoke to media at Parliament Buildings following a meeting of the Stormont Executive.
They were due to meet with police and described the situation as "evolving".
Ms O'Neill said: "It's important to emphasise that a red warning is very serious, it's only used whenever there is a genuine threat to life and potential damage to property and the public should expect significant disruption to travel and also potential power outages because of the severity of conditions.
"We want to assure everybody that we're working across government with all our partner agencies, councils, the PSNI, emergency services and other agencies to deal with any impacts and also in terms of preparedness.
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"We also want the public to know that they can expect to receive an emergency alert on their phones later on this afternoon.
"This is an evolving situation, there are meetings happening as we speak, and we'll be coming back this afternoon with further updates, but just to say to everybody, we want people to stay safe, we want people to look out for those that are vulnerable, take time to check in on family and friends.
"Schools are closing, further and higher education colleges are closing, airports are keeping the situation under review.
"We're encouraging only essential travel, only where it is absolutely necessary."
A Met Office spokesperson said peak rush hour wind speeds of 80-90mph are expected across Northern Ireland, with up to 100mph in some exposed locations.
"An extremely windy spell with disruption and potentially damaging winds tomorrow morning," he said.
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The record for a gust in Northern Ireland is 124mph in Kilkeel in Co Down in January 1974.
TORNADO
Meanwhile, Storm Forecast Experiment published a map putting southern England under a level 2 tornado warning for severe wind gusts with a few tornado events possible.
The Met Office told the Sun: "There is a small chance of an isolated tornado today (January 23) as a squally front moves eastwards, primarily Wales and central and/or southern parts of England, but the chance in any one location is very low.
"Most areas will just experience a period of heavy rain and gusty winds, perhaps with some hail and thunder in places, before it clears to the North Sea during the afternoon."
Passengers have been advised not to travel tomorrow with Network Rail warning that trains could be cancelled at very short notice with "onward connection not possible".
The Met Office expects "very strong winds and widespread disruption" when the amber warning comes into force across much of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England at 6am tomorrow.
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It remains in place until 9pm on Friday, with power cuts "likely to occur" and even mobile phone coverage expected to be impacted.
Road, rail, air and ferry services are also likely to be affected.
The warning adds: "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."
All of the UK is covered by warnings, including for wind and rain, though the majority are yellow rather than amber.
Today the Environment Agency has 14 flood alerts in place across England.
Storm Éowyn is expected to pass close to or across the northwest of the UK on Friday before moving to the northeast on Saturday.
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The Met Office said there is some uncertainty in the track of the storm but can confirm there will be be powerful gales.
"A spell of very strong winds is likely, initially southeasterly before turning westerly, with peak gusts of 50-60 mph inland, 60-70 mph around some coasts and hills," the forecaster added.
"Perhaps up to 80 mph in exposed parts of western Scotland."
As well as a windy end to the week, Brits are told to expect 15-25mm of rain in most areas, and 40-60mm over high ground.
A spokesperson for The Met said: "Storm Eowyn is expected to bring very strong winds and widespread disruption on Friday.
"Power cuts are likely to occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage."
From Friday, high impact warnings have been issued for Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, northern England, and north and west Wales.
The heavy wind and rain in Storm Eowyn will be caused by low pressure over the Atlantic interacting with a jet stream.
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This causes a phenomenon, also known as a "weather bomb" which are powerful gales that can cause structural damage.
Much of this extreme weather will settle down by Friday evening at 9pm, particularly in the south.
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Five-day weather forecast for the UK
Today:
Frost and fog clearing, then a bright start for many.
A band of wet and windy weather sweeping eastwards across most areas, followed by brighter skies with some blustery showers in the west but the late afternoon and evening.
Tonight:
Rain moves off to the east, leaving a mostly dry and clear evening across much of the UK.
Storm Éowyn moves into the west by the early hours.
Friday:
Storm Éowyn will bring wet and very windy weather on Friday, with some disruption likely, especially across Northern Ireland, northern England and north Wales.
Snow expected across Scotland also.
Outlook for Saturday to Monday:
Storm Éowyn still causing impacts through Saturday morning in the north, but brighter with some showers buy the afternoon, and winds easing. Further wet and windy weather Sunday.
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