The storm, named Eowyn, is being fueled by the same weather pattern that has brought brutal cold and a rare winter storm to the Southern United States.

"An Garda Síochána warns all members of the public that a Status Red severe weather warning means ‘shelter in place’. People in areas during the times affected by red warnings should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and take action to protect themselves and their properties," said a gardai spokesperson.

The national forecasters for Ireland and the U.K. both issued the most serious weather warnings Thursday about the impact of Storm Éowyn, which is expected to hit the Irish coast in the early hours of Friday before heading northeast to Scotland.