Storm Eowyn, a powerful weather system, unleashed its fury upon Ireland and parts of Britain on Friday, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and causing widespread travel disruptions. The storm brought record-breaking winds, exceeding 100 mph in some areas, and heavy rain, prompting authorities to issue severe weather warnings and urging residents to stay indoors. This unprecedented level of disruption for Ireland underscored the storm’s intensity. Eowyn’s impact was felt across the island of Ireland, with nearly a third of ESB Networks’ customers experiencing power outages. The storm also brought heavy rain and the possibility of hail and snow in the Scottish hills. The strength of the storm was attributed to a powerful jet stream, intensified by a significant temperature contrast between the frigid air affecting the United States and warmer air in the Gulf of Mexico. This same weather system had brought record-breaking low temperatures and dangerous wind chills to much of the United States earlier in the week.
The storm’s ferocious winds caused significant travel disruptions across Ireland, Scotland, and northern England. Public transport in Ireland was entirely suspended, and train services in northern England were severely affected. Hundreds of flights were cancelled at airports throughout Ireland and Britain, further compounding the travel chaos. Belfast International Airport urged passengers to avoid travel, citing intermittent power outages and the dangerous conditions. The storm’s impact was so significant that it was considered the most severe storm to hit Ireland since 2017, exceeding even the powerful Storm Darragh of December 2023.
The meteorological services in both Ireland and Britain issued warnings about the storm, with the British Met Office issuing a red warning, its highest alert level, for parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland. The warnings emphasized the potential for dangerous conditions, widespread disruption, and significant impacts. The forecasters predicted gusts of up to 100 mph in the hills and coastal areas along the Irish Sea and southwestern Scotland. The storm’s actual impact even surpassed these predictions, with a record-breaking gust of 114 mph recorded in western Ireland, shattering a record that had stood since 1945.
The widespread power outages caused by the storm resulted in significant inconvenience and disruption for hundreds of thousands of residents. The loss of power affected homes, businesses, and essential services, further highlighting the storm’s severity. The combination of high winds, heavy rain, and power outages created hazardous conditions, prompting authorities to advise people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. The magnitude of the power outages was unusual for Ireland, emphasizing the exceptional nature of Storm Eowyn.
The unusual strength of Storm Eowyn was linked to a particularly strong jet stream, a high-altitude current of fast-moving air that influences weather patterns. The jet stream, typically around 190-220 mph, reached speeds of 260 mph during this period. This enhanced speed was attributed to the stark temperature contrast between the arctic blast affecting the United States and the warm, moist air in the Gulf of Mexico. This temperature difference fueled the jet stream, providing the energy for the development of the intense storm.
While Storm Eowyn was expected to move into the Norwegian Sea by Saturday, offering a temporary respite from the severe weather, forecasters warned of another approaching storm system. This second storm was anticipated to bring similar hazardous conditions to Britain on Sunday and Monday, indicating a continued period of unsettled weather. This forecast highlighted the ongoing influence of the powerful jet stream and the potential for further disruptions in the coming days.
