The has issued a new 15-hour amber weather alert for large parts of the UK, with Storm Eowyn just hours away from lashing the UK.

There are rare amber issued for North West England, North East England, Northern Ireland, north Wales and central and southern Scotland, running from 6am Friday morning until 9pm.

Gusts of more than 90mph could cause power cuts, travel disruption and damage to buildings as Storm Eowyn threatens the UK.

The Met Office warns: "Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing to the northeast on Friday night. This will bring a spell of very strong west to southwesterly winds, with peak gusts of 60-70 mph fairly widely inland, 70-80 mph in some areas, and 80-90 mph along more exposed coasts and hills (perhaps even higher in a few locations).

"It should be noted that there may be a slight reduction in wind strength for a time as the centre of Storm Éowyn passes overhead, this most likely in parts of Northern Ireland and western Scotland, before winds rapidly increase again. Winds will gradually ease later on Friday."

There is a chance that damage to buildings and homes could occur, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down, warns the weather agency.

Separately has issued new 11-hour yellow weather warnings for tomorrow as Storm Eowyn prepares to swoop in.

These yellow wind warnings are active for London & South East England, South West England and Wales, running from 7am until 6pm on Thursday.

The warns: "A band of heavy rain will move from west to east across the area on Thursday, bringing a 4-5 hour spell of strong and gusty winds.

"Winds are expected to reach 50-60 mph over exposed coasts and hills.

"Winds, arriving across western areas during the morning will ease during the afternoon, whereas eastern areas will see winds peak during the afternoon."

The storm is predicted to disrupt travel, with road, rail, airports and ferries likely to be affected.

A snow warning is now in place across Scotland between 3am and 12pm on Friday.

A wind warning in Scotland will last until 3pm on Saturday, with disruption remaining a possibility throughout areas on the other side of the border.

Eowyn, the fifth-named storm of the season and the first of 2025 will start to cause disruption on Thursday, which will see strengthening winds and heavy rainfall in western parts of the country overnight, the forecaster said.

The forecaster is warning to "give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and
train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary".