Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Ireland West Airports Resume Operations as UK and Ireland Face New Weather Warnings Amid ScotRail’s Recovery from Storm Éowyn

Written By: Rana Pratap

Rana Pratap

My formal education culminated with a Master's in English from Dibrugarh University in 2015, but my real-world learning began simultaneously. Over ten years ago, while still a student, I joined Travel and Tour World as an intern, eager to nurture my love for travel in a professional setting. It has been a privilege to grow with this company, maturing from that initial role into a leadership position. As a Senior Writer and Team Leader today, I comfortably blend my passion for travelling with years of industry experience along with mentoring a creative team.

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January 25, 2025 20:15 GMT+5:30

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Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Ireland West airports have resumed operations, bringing some relief after the havoc caused by Storm Éowyn across the UK and Ireland. ScotRail has also restored several train services, but with most routes still out of action and new weather warnings issued for wind, rain, and icy conditions, the recovery remains a work in progress.

Storm Éowyn’s Impact on Travel

The numbers highlight the storm’s devastating impact: 1,070 flights were canceled yesterday, leaving over 150,000 air passengers stranded. Airports across the UK and Ireland faced severe disruptions, with services grounded due to high winds, debris, and safety concerns.

Meanwhile, on the railways, ScotRail tackled over 400 incidents of damage caused by the storm, including fallen trees, damaged overhead lines, and debris on the tracks. While most routes remain closed, the following train services have resumed:

• Perth – Inverness
• Inverness – Elgin
• Inverness – Aberdeen
• Dundee – Aberdeen
• Perth – Dundee
• Edinburgh – Tweedbank
• Edinburgh – Dunbar
• Drem – Edinburgh

ScotRail has warned passengers to expect significant disruptions through the weekend and into early next week. Travelers are urged to check the ScotRail website or app for live updates before making plans.

Flights Resume Across Major Airports

Flights have resumed at Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Ireland West airports, bringing relief to passengers who faced cancellations and delays during the peak of the storm. However, travelers are advised to double-check flight schedules, as some residual delays are still expected.

London Heathrow is still feeling the effects of Storm Éowyn, with 7 flights canceled and 69 delayed as of now. Travelers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

The Met Office’s Forecast: What’s Next?

The Met Office has provided an updated forecast for the next few days. Meteorologist Ellie Glasiyer confirmed that Storm Éowyn is moving away from the UK toward Scandinavia, but its effects will linger throughout the weekend. Here’s what to expect:

• Tonight, sleet and snow could fall on higher ground, and “showery outbreaks” are possible in parts of England.
• Temperatures will drop significantly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, with frost and icy stretches expected on Sunday morning.
• Southern parts of the UK could see further spells of wet and windy weather by Sunday evening, continuing into Monday.

New Weather Warnings Across the UK and Ireland

The Met Office and Met Éireann have issued fresh yellow weather warnings, highlighting potential risks for the coming days:

Sunday:

• Yellow Wind Warning (8am – 3pm): North West England, South West England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and southwest Scotland.
• Yellow Rain Warning (8am – 6am Monday): East Midlands, West Midlands, North West England, South West England, East of England, London, South East England, and Wales.
• Yellow Snow and Ice Warning (6pm Saturday – 10am Sunday): Central Scotland, southwest Scotland, Grampian, Strathclyde, and Northern Ireland.

Monday:

• Yellow Wind Warning (6am Monday – 6am Tuesday): South West England, Wales, East of England, South East England, and London.
• Yellow Rain Warning (6am – midnight): Wales and the West Midlands.

Ireland:

• Strong and Gusty Winds: Yellow warnings in nine counties, including Cork, Kerry, and Waterford, remain in place until 6am Monday.
• Heavy Downpours (5am – 5pm Sunday): Yellow warnings for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, and Waterford.

Although the worst of Storm Éowyn has passed, these warnings underscore the continued risks of flooding, travel disruptions, and icy conditions.

Storm Éowyn’s Lingering Impact

Storm Éowyn left its mark with wind speeds reaching a staggering 100mph in Drumalbin, South Lanarkshire—the strongest gust recorded during the storm. The Met Office had issued a rare red weather warning, highlighting life-threatening risks from flying debris and extreme winds.

Tragically, the storm claimed one life in Irvine, though police believe the incident was medical in nature. Additionally, widespread power outages left thousands of homes in the dark. SSEN reported that 37,000 homes were still without electricity late Friday, though services had been restored to 60,000 others.

A Gradual Return to Normal

As airports and train services slowly resume, recovery is underway, but the journey back to normal will take time. Travelers should remain cautious, stay updated on travel advisories, and plan ahead as new weather warnings remain in place.

Storm Éowyn may be moving on, but its impact across the UK and Ireland will be felt for days to come. Stay safe, stay informed, and keep an eye on the skies.