STORM Amy is due to give Brits a battering today causing schools to close, as the Met Office warns of a “danger to life”.
Schools across Counties Antrim, Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh have been advised by the Education Authority in Northern Ireland to close at noon to ensure the safety of pupils and staff during Storm Amy.
Commuters brave the wet and miserable conditions on London Bridge this morning
The Met Office has amber and yellow weather warnings for large parts of the country
The Environment Agency (EA) said the decision had been taken in the interests of the safety of children, young people and staff as Storm Amy arrives across the UK and Ireland.
An EA statement said: “The amber warning covers the western half of Northern Ireland – counties Antrim, Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh.
“The Education Authority consulted with the Met Office to ensure there had been no overnight amendments to the alert.
“The alert applies to the period 3pm to 8pm today and is warning of a spell of damaging winds on Friday late afternoon and evening.
“It has cited the potential for power cuts and damage to buildings, including a risk of injuries from flying debris.”
The first named storm of the season has prompted warnings throughout Britain for heavy rain and strong winds of up to 95mph.
The north and west of will be worst hit by the storm with a amber warning for “damaging winds” in place from 5pm on Friday until 9am Saturday.
Those living in parts of the Highlands and Western Isles have been warned of a “danger to life” from flying debris, potential cuts as well as road closures and damage to buildings.
said that several railway lines in northern Scotland will close from 6pm on Friday due to the conditions, while speed restrictions will be in place on all other routes from 7pm.
All of Scotland, the north of and the most western parts of will also fall under yellow warning for wind from 3pm on Friday until the start of Sunday.
A long strip of Scotland running from Dumfries up to the northern-most part of the mainland will also fall under a yellow rain warning from 12pm on Friday to 3pm on Saturday.
A yellow rain warning is also in place for the north-west of England, including the Lake District, from 3pm until midnight.
In , a yellow warning for wind is in place from 2pm on Friday until noon on Saturday.
The Met Office warned of gusts up to 70mph will be felt “fairly widely” while “more exposed areas” could see winds of up to 95mph along with spells of heavy rain across the country.
The forecaster said: “Storm Amy is expected to bring a spell of strong winds to many parts of northern and western Britain later on Friday and overnight into Saturday.
“South to southwesterly winds will increase during Friday, initially in the west before extending eastwards during Friday night.
“Gusts of 50-60 mph are likely in many areas, and may reach 60-70 mph in more exposed parts.
“The strongest winds are most likely across portions of northern and western Scotland, where gusts in excess of 90 mph are possible – this is covered by a separate Amber warning for the Friday night period.”
The Met Office warned of difficult conditions at the weekend, especially for high sided vehicles on prone routes, such as crosswinds on exposed or high level routes.
It added: “Winds will ease for most parts through Saturday afternoon, but will continue to be very strong for the Northern Isles and parts of the far north of Scotland through to the end of Saturday, before slowly easing overnight.”
Scotland’s Secretary Fiona Hyslop urged people to check conditions before travelling.
She said: “Motorists will face difficult driving conditions, so it’s vital people plan ahead if they have to travel to see if their route is impacted by the weather.
“Travellers should check the latest information before they set off, drive to the conditions and follow Scotland .”
ScotRail is advising customers to plan ahead and check their journeys before travelling on Friday.
It said some lines will close from 6pm on Friday due to forecast wind gusts and heavy rain, with no replacement transport.
The affected routes are, Mallaig to Fort William; Fort William to Crianlarich; to ; Inverness to Wick/Thurso; Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh; and Perth to Inverness.
It said that on all other routes, speed restrictions will be introduced from 7pm until the end of service, to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “Safety is always our top priority, and we’re working closely with our colleagues at to keep people moving where it’s safe to do so.
“The Met Office amber warning for high winds during Storm Amy means that some routes will have to close, and speed restrictions will be in place across Scotland’s Railway.
“We know how frustrating disruption can be, but these measures are essential to protect our customers and staff.”
The train operator anticipates that some disruption to services will extend into Saturday, and possibly Sunday, while Network Rail carries out safety checks for obstructions on the line and damage to any infrastructure.
Police urged motorists to drive carefully.
Chief Superintendent Scott McCarren, Police Scotland’s head of road policing, said: “I would encourage people to drive to the conditions and be aware of increased stopping distances.
“In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads.
“Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.”
