Met Office's Red Weather Warning explained as 'danger to life' Eunice sweeps UK
In a rare event, red weather warnings have been issued for Storm Ciaran, with yellow and amber warnings also in place across much of the country.
The red warning has been issued for the Channel Islands with winds expected to reach speeds of up to 98mph. Amber warnings are in place for the entire south coast of England and parts of Pembrokeshire on Thursday when Storm Ciaran is due to hit, together with further yellow rain warnings. The storm has already caused flooding in Northern Ireland, where a yellow rain warning from the Met Office is in place until 9am on Wednesday.
Startling new satellite images shows the storm hurtling straight towards the UK. But what actually is a red warning, what does it mean and how often do they happen?
What is a red weather warning?
Waves crash against the harbour wall in Porthcawl during Storm Eunice in 2022 (Getty Images)Red weather warnings are the most extreme type of warning issued by the Met Office, the body responsible for warning the country of potential weather impacts. Warnings are issued through the National Severe Weather Warning service. The colour of the warning not only indicates the potential impact of a weather event but also how likely it is to occur.
According to the Met Office, the official definition of a red warning is: “Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure. You should avoid travelling, where possible, and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.”
Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts
How dangerous is a red weather warning?
Waves hits Porthleven on the Cornish coast as Storm Eunice makes landfall (PA)A red weather warning comes attached with an ominous message that the event will pose a “danger to life”.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said: “The red warning areas indicate a significant danger to life as extremely strong winds provide the potential for damage to structures and flying debris. Although the most exposed coastal areas could see gusts in excess of 90mph, winds will remain notably strong further inland, with gusts of between 60-70mph for most within the amber warning area, and up to 80mph in a few places.”
Are red weather warnings common?
An early morning ferry arriving from Calais into Dover battles with the rough seas in The Channel during Storm Eunice in 2022 (SWNS)Red warnings are far from common. The Met Office said during Storm Eunice in 2022: “Red Weather Warnings are rarely issued by the Met Office, with the last one coinciding with Storm Arwen in November 2021, but you’d have to go back to March 2018 for the last Red Warning for wind before that.”
Last month, the Met Office issued a red weather warning for Storm Babet, which claimed the lives of seven people across the UK.
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