Hundreds of thousands were left without power on Friday as Storm Eowyn unleashed its fury across Ireland, resulting in widespread disruptions and unprecedented conditions. The storm produced record-breaking winds, leading to an estimated 715,000 homes lacking electricity at one point in the morning—nearly a third of the country’s total customer base under ESB Networks, an Irish state-owned utility.
According to the Irish Meteorological Service, the storm prompted fierce gales to sweep through not only Ireland but also Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, and parts of northern and western England and Wales. Wind gusts were reported to have reached as high as 70 miles per hour, with coastal regions and hilly areas anticipating extreme gusts of up to 100 miles per hour. The exceptional conditions were illustrated by a gust of 114 miles per hour recorded in Mace Head, County Galway, which broke a long-standing record from 1945.
Forecasters warned of additional weather hazards, predicting rain showers and potential hail and snow in Scotland's highlands. Notably, the UK’s Meteorological Office issued alerts for "dangerous conditions," advising residents and travelers to proceed with caution.
The impact of the storm was felt across transportation networks, with Northern Rail, a provider in England, advising against travel due to severe disruptions expected on Friday and Saturday. Furthermore, flights were canceled or grounded at multiple airports, including Belfast International Airport which experienced intermittent power outages and issued a caution to travelers to stay at home and check flight statuses.
The storm's intensity was bolstered by a strong jet stream—an atmospheric current that shapes weather patterns. This particular jet stream accelerated to an extraordinary 260 miles per hour this week, contributing to Eowyn becoming the most severe storm to affect Ireland since 2017, which saw significant loss of life.
As communities grapple with the aftermath of Eowyn, the focus remains on recovery efforts and ensuring safety as conditions continue to unfold.
According to the Irish Meteorological Service, the storm prompted fierce gales to sweep through not only Ireland but also Northern Ireland, southern Scotland, and parts of northern and western England and Wales. Wind gusts were reported to have reached as high as 70 miles per hour, with coastal regions and hilly areas anticipating extreme gusts of up to 100 miles per hour. The exceptional conditions were illustrated by a gust of 114 miles per hour recorded in Mace Head, County Galway, which broke a long-standing record from 1945.
Forecasters warned of additional weather hazards, predicting rain showers and potential hail and snow in Scotland's highlands. Notably, the UK’s Meteorological Office issued alerts for "dangerous conditions," advising residents and travelers to proceed with caution.
The impact of the storm was felt across transportation networks, with Northern Rail, a provider in England, advising against travel due to severe disruptions expected on Friday and Saturday. Furthermore, flights were canceled or grounded at multiple airports, including Belfast International Airport which experienced intermittent power outages and issued a caution to travelers to stay at home and check flight statuses.
The storm's intensity was bolstered by a strong jet stream—an atmospheric current that shapes weather patterns. This particular jet stream accelerated to an extraordinary 260 miles per hour this week, contributing to Eowyn becoming the most severe storm to affect Ireland since 2017, which saw significant loss of life.
As communities grapple with the aftermath of Eowyn, the focus remains on recovery efforts and ensuring safety as conditions continue to unfold.
