STORM Eunice has SHUT schools in parts of the UK with pupils told to stay at home as 100mph winds lash the south.
The severe weather front - likely to be the worst winter tempest in 30 years - was upgraded to a RED "danger to life" warning following the destruction caused by Storm Dudley last night.
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Strong winds continue along the west coast of Aberystwyth as stormy seas crash against the promenade Credit: Alamy 11
A Cardiff to London Great Western Railways (GWR) train, named after Captain Tom Moore, was stranded Credit: Athena 11
Storm Eunice is set to bring wild winds Credit: Ryan Jenkinson / Story Picture Agency 11
A car was smashed to bits by bricks blown off a house in Salford, Greater Manchester Credit: MEN Media 11
Five weather warnings for snow and wind are in place for Friday - including a danger to life red warning in the South
Forecasters say gales could be stronger than those recorded on Burns Night in 1990, when wind speeds reached 107mph.
In Bristol and Wales, likely to be two of the hardest-hit areas, schools have been forced to shut tomorrow over fears pupils and teachers could be in danger.
Schools in Cardiff, Swansea, most of the South Wales valleys and Bristol have closed and will move to remote learning.
As Britain braces for Storm Eunice...
Motorists warned to NOT travel by RAC unless absolutely necessary All trains in Wales cancelled for Friday Schools in majority of Welsh areas closed as pupils told to stay at home Bristol City Council was advising schools to close in the city because of the torrent A man died falling of a HGV lorry last night during Storm Dudley Storm Eunice set to be the worst storm UK has seen in years Brits bracing for 100mph winds and 8inches snow in the north Network Rail said disruption tomorrow is 'inevitable' Met Office upgraded storm to red warning - bringing 'danger to life' Legoland and London Eye closed on Friday because of severe weather
Brits have been warned to NOT travel after Storm Dudley claimed a life last night.
A man, in his sixties, plunged around 12 feet after falling from a lorry.
It is believed he was attempting to unload heavy goods in high winds when he lost his balance.
Emergency services were called to the industrial incident in Marston Green, near Solihull, West Mids, at 9pm last night.
Storm Eunice has now been declared a major incident by Avon and Somerset over the "potential for severe disruption" to the region.
The forum, whose members include the emergency services, health services, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Environment Agency, said members of the public should avoid travelling on Friday morning "wherever possible".
In a statement, they said 90mph gusts could "cause coastal flooding and affect trees and temporary structures".
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And motorists in Devon and Cornwall are being urged to stay at home unless the journey is "absolutely necessary."
Superintendent Adrian Leisk, strategic lead for roads policing in Devon and Cornwall, said: "Please do not travel in your vehicle unless your journey is absolutely necessary.
"If you can stay or work at home, then please do - particularly in the morning when the red weather warning is in place."
Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell said: "With the wind gusts we are forecasting at the moment, we've only seen a handful of storms in the past 30 years that have brought similar gusts.
"It's got the potential to be up there as quite a notable storm."
A Network Rail spokesman said disruption is "inevitable", as the Met Office issued a red weather warning.
The RAC has urged motorists not to drive during Storm Eunice unless it is absolutely necessary following the alert for snow, heavy rain and winds.
'STAY AT HOME'
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod Dennis said: "With a rare red weather warning for extreme winds in place tomorrow, safety on the roads will be paramount.
"It's vitally important drivers don't set out during Storm Eunice unless it can't be avoided."
He said people who can work from home "should definitely do so".
"We also urge people not to be tempted to drive to the coast to take photos of the extreme conditions," he added.
The red weather warning covers the coastline of Devon and Cornwall as well as the south coast of Wales.
It will come into effect from 7am on Friday.
High winds will tear down trees, rip roofs off buildings and fell power lines, meteorologists say.
An amber warning for wind has been issued for the entire south of the country. It stretches as far north as Blackpool.
The alert is in place between 3am and 9pm on Friday.
The Met Office issues warnings ahead of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause "damage, widespread disruption and danger to life."
RED ALERT
Red warnings are rare, and the service said: "Red means you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather.
"Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely.
"You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities."
The nightmare day will be made worse in Scotland and northern England by heavy snow. A yellow warning has been issued.
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A train heads along the west coast between Whitehaven and Carlisle 11
Traffic battles through blizzards on the A9 at Slochd near Inverness 11
Storm Eunice causes havoc as a tree falls onto a car in Ealing, West London Credit: PA
Up to 8inches will fall - with strong winds bringing "very poor visibility, blizzard conditions and drifting of lying snow."
The whole of Northern Ireland is also bracing for a snow warning.
Road and rail networks will be badly hit, while those hoping to fly may also face problems.
Prince Charles has cancelled a trip to South Wales tomorrow as a result of the weather.
Attractions including the London Eye and Legoland in Windsor will be closing their doors.
Those worst-affected by yesterday's storm are bracing for more destruction.
Cars were crushed in Greater Manchester. In Salford, a roof was blown from a house.
And in Kilwinning, Scotland, a tree crashed through a railway power line after being ripped from its roots by gusts of powerful wind.
An emergency Cobra meeting was summoned today to hammer out a plan of action.
HEAVY SNOW AND GALE-FORCE WIND
Ministers have been urged to ensure the Cobra meeting results in an emergency support plan to deal with power cuts.
Liberal Democrat communities spokesman Tim Farron said: "Whenever a storm hits, the Government is disgracefully unprepared to support the thousands of people affected, they never learn from their mistakes.
"This time, as people up and down the country are barraged by stormy weather, the Government must be on hand to provide support.
"The Cobra meeting must agree on an emergency support plan including providing food, emergency accommodation and electricity generators for those affected by any power cuts."
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A tree blown into the road at Three Crosses in Ross-on-Wye during Storm Dudley 11
Emergency services were called to Eccles, Salford, after a house's roof was blown off Credit: Triangle News 11
Big waves as darkness falls in Porthcawl as Storm Dudley hit south Wales Credit: Robert Melen