The Met Office yellow alert came into force at midnight and runs until 11.59pm tonight. Wind gusts could be up to 54mph in the early hours accompanied by heavy rain and the alert warns of a 'danger to life' from flying debris.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “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.

An incredibly rare red weather warning has been issued amid fears ‘violent storm force winds’ will batter the island. Ronaldsway Met Office has issued the warning - which means there is a threat to life - as Storm Eowyn arrives in the early hours of Friday.

Storm Éowyn is forecast to make landfall in Ireland late on Thursday before moving on to the rest of the UK on Friday according to Met Office models. The storm will bring gusts of 80mph to coastal areas and 60mph inland with potential for a danger to life caused by flying debris.

Britain is set to be battered by winds of up to 90mph from Storm Eowyn as the Met Office warned of a danger to life in parts of the country over the next few days. Very strong winds are forecast to strike the north of England, south of Scotland and North Wales.

Storm Eowyn is set to bring gusts of up to 90mph to parts of the UK, with the Met Office issuing an amber weather warning for strong winds. The storm could cause flying debris, power cuts, transport problems and danger to life.