Storm Amy: Huge number of UK schools told to close today 'for safety of kids'

A huge number of schools have been told to close as Storm Amy continues to cause havoc across the UK.

Schools across counties Antrim, Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh have been told by the Education Authority (EA) in Northern Ireland to close at noon. The EA said the decision had been taken in the interests of the safety of children, young people and staff as Storm Amy arrives across the UK and Ireland.

An EA statement said: "The amber warning covers the western half of Northern Ireland - counties Antrim, Derry/Londonderry, Tyrone and Fermanagh. The Education Authority consulted with the Met Office to ensure there had been no overnight amendments to the alert.

"The alert applies to the period 3pm to 8pm today and is warning of a spell of damaging winds on Friday late afternoon and evening. It has cited the potential for power cuts and damage to buildings, including a risk of injuries from flying debris."

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The first named storm of the season has prompted weather warnings throughout Britain for heavy rain and strong winds of up to 95mph. The north and west of Scotland will be worst hit by the storm with a Met Office amber warning for “damaging winds” in place from 5pm on Friday until 9am Saturday.

Those living in parts of the Highlands and Western Isles have been warned of a “danger to life” from flying debris, potential power cuts as well as road closures and damage to buildings. All of Scotland, the north of England and the most western parts of Wales will also fall under yellow warning for wind from 3pm on Friday until the start of Sunday.

A yellow rain warning is also in place for the north-west of England, including the Lake District, from 3pm until midnight. In Northern Ireland, a yellow warning for wind is in place from 2pm on Friday until noon on Saturday.

The Met Office warned of gusts up to 70mph will be felt “fairly widely” while “more exposed areas” could see winds of up to 95mph along with spells of heavy rain across the country. The forecaster said: “Storm Amy is expected to bring a spell of strong winds to many parts of northern and western Britain later on Friday and overnight into Saturday.

“South to southwesterly winds will increase during Friday, initially in the west before extending eastwards during Friday night. Gusts of 50-60 mph are likely in many areas, and may reach 60-70 mph in more exposed parts.

“The strongest winds are most likely across portions of northern and western Scotland, where gusts in excess of 90 mph are possible – this is covered by a separate Amber warning for the Friday night period.”

BBC Scotland weather presenter Gillian Smart said: "Amy looks like a potent storm, particularly for this early point in the season. An amber warning has been issued for Argyll, the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Orkney, where gusts of 60 to 70 miles an hour are forecast widely, possibly exceeding 95 mph in exposure.

"These are damaging winds that will bring down trees - which are still in leaf - and cause disruption to power supplies." Ms Smart added: "Some parts of western Scotland will see a couple of weeks of rainfall within the first few days of the month.

"Into Saturday, it'll remain stormy, though the heavy rain will ease to sunny spells and blustery showers, some of the showers heavy with hail. The strongest winds will transfer to the Northern Isles, where gusts of 70 to 75 miles an hour will continue into Sunday. Elsewhere, Sunday will bring calmer conditions."