Storm to force closure of schools across Midlands on Friday as status red warning issued

The storm warning issued for Westmeath, Roscommon and most of the country this Friday has been raised to the most severe level; status red.

Storm Éowyn threatens to be one of the most significant and disruptive storms to hit Ireland in recent years, with red-level warnings for both rainfall and extreme winds issued for the Midlands.

The issuing of the red-level warnings means travelling conditions on the day will be "extremely dangerous".

All schools in the region will be forced to close for the day. Transport services are likely to be disrupted or cancelled, and many businesses will also have to close or change their usual work practises on the day.

The storm is set to peak in the Midlands on Friday morning, with Met Éireann's status red warnings for wind and rainfall set to be in effect in Westmeath, Roscommon and Offaly for six hours, from 6am on Friday until noon that day.

Meanwhile an orange-level warning for strong winds will be in place for a more extended period, from 2am on Friday until 5pm that day.

Met Éireann said red-level storms pose a potential danger to life.

It said Friday's storm will lead to unsafe working conditions, fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, structural damage and the cancellation of events.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather predicted that this will be an "historic" storm, given the speed of the winds that are currently being forecast.

In a social media post, he said the AROME weather model for Friday morning is showing "gusts I've never seen this model show before for Ireland".

"Anyone saying this is just another storm is in for a rude awakening. This will be an historic storm," stated Alan.