As Storm Eowyn swept through Ireland on Friday, it left hundreds of thousands without power, marking an unprecedented event for the nation. The fierce storm also affected parts of Scotland and northern England, causing significant havoc.
Meteorological reports indicated that Eowyn brought gale-force winds throughout the day, making conditions dangerous across the region. Gusts reached up to 70 miles per hour, with some areas along the Irish Sea and southwestern Scotland recording winds as high as 100 mph. Particularly notable was a gust of 114 mph measured in County Galway, surpassing the previous record held since 1945.
ESB Networks announced that approximately 715,000 customers were affected, which represents nearly a third of its total customer base of about 2.4 million. The storm did not stop at wind; rain showers and spells of heavy rain were also anticipated, threatening potential hail and even snow on the higher elevations of Scotland. Authorities warned of "very dangerous conditions," emphasizing the widespread disruptions and significant impacts stemming from the storm.
The weather conditions severely disrupted transportation infrastructure. Northern Rail recommended against traveling on Friday and Saturday due to the chaos caused by the storm. Flights were also heavily impacted, with many being canceled or grounded across various airports in Ireland and Britain, prompting officials at Belfast International Airport to advise passengers to remain at home and stay updated on flight statuses.
One factor contributing to Eowyn's intensity was a pronounced jet stream, which can influence global weather patterns and had increased its wind speeds from a usual 190-220 mph to an extraordinary 260 mph this week.
This storm is being characterized as the most severe to hit Ireland since 2017, when a tempest in the northeastern Atlantic led to the loss of three lives.
Meteorological reports indicated that Eowyn brought gale-force winds throughout the day, making conditions dangerous across the region. Gusts reached up to 70 miles per hour, with some areas along the Irish Sea and southwestern Scotland recording winds as high as 100 mph. Particularly notable was a gust of 114 mph measured in County Galway, surpassing the previous record held since 1945.
ESB Networks announced that approximately 715,000 customers were affected, which represents nearly a third of its total customer base of about 2.4 million. The storm did not stop at wind; rain showers and spells of heavy rain were also anticipated, threatening potential hail and even snow on the higher elevations of Scotland. Authorities warned of "very dangerous conditions," emphasizing the widespread disruptions and significant impacts stemming from the storm.
The weather conditions severely disrupted transportation infrastructure. Northern Rail recommended against traveling on Friday and Saturday due to the chaos caused by the storm. Flights were also heavily impacted, with many being canceled or grounded across various airports in Ireland and Britain, prompting officials at Belfast International Airport to advise passengers to remain at home and stay updated on flight statuses.
One factor contributing to Eowyn's intensity was a pronounced jet stream, which can influence global weather patterns and had increased its wind speeds from a usual 190-220 mph to an extraordinary 260 mph this week.
This storm is being characterized as the most severe to hit Ireland since 2017, when a tempest in the northeastern Atlantic led to the loss of three lives.
