Storm Eunice is currently battering the UK, with winds of up to 100mph predicted in regions such as south Wales and the south west of England. Overnight, the Met Office has added another weather warning on top of all the previous ones – and this one covers London. Predicting “significant disruption and dangerous conditions”, the weather service has issue a red weather warning for wind, covering the capital and most of south east England. A red weather warning can mean a “danger to life”, which means it’s time to stay safe and hunker down.
A red warning has now been issued for London. #StormEunice will bring damaging winds which pose a risk to life today.
Please stay at home, do not take risks, and do not travel unless absolutely essential.
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) February 18, 2022
London’s red warning is in place from 10am to 3pm, so if there’s a time of day you’ll definitely want to avoid leaving the house, it’s between these hours. During the red warning, the Met Office warns of potential flying debris, damage to buildings and homes, power cuts and disruption to mobile phone networks, and delays and cancellations on buses, trains, and flights. TfL’s status page is already showing a few wind-influenced disruptions, with no service on the Romford to Upminster Overground, a reduced service on the Stratford to Richmond Overground, and a reduced service on TfL Rail. National rail franchises are also warning commuters from outside of London not to travel, whilst the Emirates Air Line has suspended services for the day.
The weather conditions have also prompted the closure of several London attractions, with the London Eye closed for the day, and London River Cruises also suspended services. Kew Gardens have closed up shop for the day, whilst London parks such as Hampstead Heath are closing too, owing to the dangers of falling branches. With everyone from the Met Office to the Mayor of London urging us to stay home today, we’ll add our voices to the chorus and say stay safe, London.
Also published on Medium.