News

Update: weather warnings withdrawn as Storm Ewan fades

 Storm Doris brings down a large tree in Lambeg. Picture by Mal McCann
 Storm Doris brings down a large tree in Lambeg. Picture by Mal McCann  Storm Doris brings down a large tree in Lambeg. Picture by Mal McCann

Warnings for ice and high winds across Northern Irleand have been withdrawn because Ireland's Storm Ewan was not as strong as expected.

The Met Office had warnings in place for heavy rain and high winds in Northern Ireland, Scotland and parts of north-west Wales and England, after predicting a low pressure system would move across the country on Monday and Tuesday.

However, after Storm Ewan's impact was less than expected, those warnings have been removed.

Yellow warnings for ice are in place across much of the UK though, telling motorists to "be aware" of poor driving conditions on Monday and Tuesday.

Forecasters named Ewan when a "developing wave" of wind looked as though it could turn into a low pressure system.

In the end, Ewan formed no such system - the extent of the damage was from high winds on the south coast.

Liz Walsh, forecaster at Met Eireann, said the worst was over by 3pm on Sunday, with the highest gust recorded at around 90km/h.

She said: "To be honest, he didn't end up being as strong as we forecast."

The storm was named Ewan as is protocol when amber weather warnings are put in place.

It comes after Storm Doris caused travel disruption, damaged buildings and sent debris flying.

Tahnie Martin, 29, who worked at the University of Wolverhampton, was killed in Wolverhampton city centre after being struck by flying debris.

Storms with the potential to cause a substantial impact are named by the Met Office and Met Eireann, moving through the alphabet.

The first was named Abigail in November 2015, after members of the public suggested monikers for the "name our storms" project.

Forecasters are now in their second run through the alphabet.

After Ewan, Britons can expect to hear of Fleur and Gabriel.