Severe Storm Éowyn Batters UK and Ireland, Prompting Rare “Stay at Home” Warning
A rare “stay at home” warning has been issued for parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland as a severe storm lashes the region, bringing dangerous 160km/h winds and unleashing travel chaos.
Impacts of Storm Éowyn
Storm Éowyn, an extratropical “bomb” cyclone that has formed in the North Atlantic and intensified rapidly, has hit rail services, delayed flights, and forced road closures. The strongest winds and most significant impacts are expected in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern parts of Scotland, according to the UK’s Met Office.
Weather Warnings and Closures
A red weather warning was established on Friday morning local time in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland. A yellow warning for snow is also in force through Friday for northern and central areas of Scotland, with accumulations possible over high ground shifting to sleet and rain at lower levels.
Currently more than 93,000 homes and businesses in Northern Ireland are without power, according to the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks. Restoration efforts are expected to take significant time as crews cannot begin to work until it is safe to do so.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill issued a “stay at home” warning to residents, stating that they are now “in the eye of the storm.” According to Met Éireann, Ireland’s Meteorological Service, a gust of 182km/h was recorded at Mace Head Co. Galway at 5am local time – provisionally the strongest gust speed ever recorded in the country.
Transport Disruptions
Public transport has been severely disrupted by the storm. Train operator ScotRail has suspended all services across Scotland on Friday, citing safety concerns. Other rail services affected by the storm include Avanti West Coast, LNER, West Midlands Railway, Lumo, Transport for Wales, and South Western Railway.
Many flights have been canceled in the region, with more than 1070 flights scheduled to operate from the UK and Ireland called off on Friday. Dublin Airport announced later on Friday that flights had recommenced from its runways after winds had “eased somewhat,” but further cancellations could occur throughout the day.
Damage and Response
Social media platforms were flooded with images of the damage caused by Storm Éowyn. Dublin Fire Brigade posted photos of collapsed scaffolding in an inner city Dublin suburb and supermarket shelves emptied of bread. In Durham county, an overturned lorry was pictured after running into trouble in high winds on a major road.
In Ireland’s Galway harbor city, trees that had stood for over 60 years were uprooted by the storm, with locals expressing sadness at their loss but relief that no significant damage was caused.
Expert Insights
Ambrogio Volonté, a senior research fellow at the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology, warned that Storm Éowyn could “rival the ferocity” of previous storms that claimed lives and left severe damage behind. He highlighted that Éowyn is an extratropical bomb cyclone that intensified extremely rapidly, typical of the most impactful winter storms in Northern Europe.
While the impacts of the climate crisis on extratropical cyclones remain uncertain, some studies suggest that the most severe storms may be getting stronger with climate change.
Conclusion
As Storm Éowyn continues to batter the UK and Ireland, authorities are urging residents to stay safe and avoid non-essential travel. The aftermath of the storm is likely to require significant recovery efforts to restore normalcy to the affected regions.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the “stay at home” warning issued in the UK and Ireland?
The “stay at home” warning is a rare precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of residents during the severe storm conditions, including dangerous winds and travel disruptions.
2. How are transportation services affected by Storm Éowyn?
Public transport, including trains and flights, has been severely disrupted, with many services suspended or canceled due to safety concerns arising from the storm’s impact.
3. What expert insights shed light on the intensity and potential impacts of Storm Éowyn?
Ambrogio Volonté, a senior research fellow, highlighted the rapid intensification of Éowyn as an extratropical bomb cyclone, raising concerns about its potential ferocity and implications in the context of climate change.