The UK is braced for the impact of Storm Eunice today, with a rare red weather alert issued by the Met Office.
Several parts of the UK, including London, are now under a red warning – the highest possible level.
Extremely strong winds and widespread disruption are expected for most of Friday, with TfGM urging people to avoid travel.
In Greater Manchester, an amber weather warning is in place, which means there is ‘a good chance that flying debris could result in a danger to life’.
It also means that damage to buildings is likely, power lines may be brought down, and roads, bridges and railway lines are likely to close.
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London is facing a red weather warning today as Storm Eunice arrives. Credit: Unsplash
The amber alert is in place until 9pm.
There’s a 90% chance of heavy rain between 11am and 3pm and wind gusts of up to 57mph are forecast this afternoon.
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Storm Eunice is expected to be much stronger than Storm Dudley, which hit the nation earlier this week.
A statement from TfGM says: “Storm Eunice is likely to cause significant disruption due to extremely strong winds today across the region between 5am – 9pm.
Storm Eunice forecast for Friday. Credit: Met Office
“Please consider whether your journey is essential today and take care if you are out and about.”
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Meanwhile CrossCountry Trains has said: “Do Not Travel today. We are running a severely reduced and amended service, please do not travel today.”
Met Office forecaster Annie Shuttleworth said: “The whole of the country will be affected by the extremely strong and damaging winds, which will cause significant disruption.
“People will see significant delays to travel and power cuts, so you should avoid travelling if you can and stay at home when winds reach the highest speeds.
“In areas covered by the red warning, especially coastal regions, there is likely to be overtopping of the sea, flooding to roads and homes, trees being overturned, tiles coming off buildings and power lines being toppled over.”
Featured image: Unsplash
UK News
The Tour de France is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
It’s official: both the male and female Tour de France are coming to Greater Manchester and nine other destinations across the UK in 2027.
As one of the biggest locations on the list, it’s another big sporting landmark for us Mancs.
Confirmed on Thursday, 15 January, the men’s race and the Tour de France Femmes (TdFF) will be passing through our region next summer.
Revealing the news in an exciting announcement video on social media, you can see the other cities and towns that the world-famous endurance event will be hitting here:
With Greater Manchester boasting not only the National Cycling Centre, but having already hosted the Tour of Britain – which has passed through Altrincham on multiple ocassions – we’re well-versed when it comes to the sport.
It’s been more than a decade since the Tour de France last took place in the UK, with London and Yorkshire hosting three stages of the biggest date on the annual cycling calendar back in 2014.
Fast forward a dozen years, and not only will they both be participating again, but Great Britain will see dual Grand Départs for men and women for the very first time.
Not only are we buzzing that the racing will be returning to our friends in Leeds and Sheffield, but also nice to see other Northern regions lending their roads and stunning landscapes, such as the Lake District and wider parts of Cumbria.
You can see the full route map broken down below.
🇬🇧 Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, London 🇬🇧
💛 Grand Départ Great Britain 2027: in the footsteps of the pioneers!
— Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) January 15, 2026
Speaking in an official press release, race director Christian Prudhomme said: “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.”
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
TdFF counterpart, Marion Rousse, added: “The UK has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Deignan.
“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
As heading up North wasn’t already exciting enough, the nominations are looking well and truly stacked as always; without further ado, here is the shortlist in full:
2026 MOBOs Nominees
BEST FEMALE ACT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH got2b
FLO
KWN
LITTLE SIMZ
OLIVIA DEAN
PINKPANTHERESS
SASHA KEABLE
BEST MALE ACT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH PROSTATE CANCER UK
Daisy Jackson -
18th February 2022 
