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.

But as Storm Éowyn starts to sweep in from the west in the early hours of Friday, parts of Northern Ireland will see snowfall, especially Londonderry and Omagh. By 3am, the snow will reach parts of central and southern Scotland, moving north east through the country as the weather front continues to move.

The Met Office has warned Storm Eowyn could see winds of up to 90mph hammer parts of the UK, with 'widespread disruption and significant impacts expected'