Ahead of Storm Éowyn, both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been issued red weather warnings for the first time. Schools, colleges and universities are closed and most hospital appointments have been cancelled as "significant disruption" is expected as a result of the storm.

The rare deep freeze in the wake of an historic winter storm that swept across the U.S. South this week will linger through Sunday, leaving the region in the grip of extreme cold and ice and creating dangerous driving conditions.