Follow live as Storm Eowyn hits the UK and Ireland, with record-breaking winds already reported. The entire country is covered by alerts for wind and rare red weather warnings have been issued for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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.

From Saturday, Storm Éowyn is predicted to weaken as it moves northeast of the UK. Despite this, Saturday will still be breezy for much of the country, with strong winds persisting in the north, but it will be drier for many.

Storm Éowyn is forecast to make landfall in Ireland late on Thursday before moving on to the rest of the UK on Friday according to Met Office models. The storm will bring gusts of 80mph to coastal areas and 60mph inland with potential for a danger to life caused by flying debris.

With Storm Éowyn battering Britain, several social media users reacted to warnings issued by the Met Office, with comments ranging from fairly sane to absolutely nuts.