Schools will remain closed before weather warning

Many schools have announced they will be closed Friday because of the threat of severe storm surge from Hurricane Iovine.

The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings, including a wind chill warning of up to 90 mph (145 km/h) in coastal areas for parts of north Wales on Friday.

Forecasters warned there was a threat to life, possible power outages and damage to buildings.

Travel is also likely to be affected with many train operators advising customers not to travel to parts of North Wales.

All primary schools in Holyhead and several schools in western Anglesey announced on Thursday afternoon that they would be closed on Friday due to the risk of weather.

Train operators Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and Grand Central have warned customers not to travel to parts of North Wales and Scotland.

The amber warning is in place from 06:00 GMT until 21:00 GMT on Friday and covers Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Gwynedd.

There are also three yellow weather warnings for wind and rain.

The first, for air, is in force from 07:00 to 17:00 on Thursday and covers most of Wales.

The second gust of wind has been in place since Friday and covers the whole of Wales.

The yellow warning for rain is in effect from 00:00 to 09:00 on Friday and includes Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire is included. Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan.

Storm Eowyn is the fifth named storm of the 2024-25 season, which began in October last year.

A Met Office spokesman said, “There is a possibility that buildings and houses may be damaged, roofs blown off and power lines downed.”

“Road, rail, air and ferry services are likely to be affected, with travel taking longer and cancellations possible.”

The forecaster advised people to secure loose items such as trash cans and garden furniture and to collect flashlights and batteries in case of power outages.