Storm Éowyn, the fifth named storm of the 2024/25 season, is set to bring 80 mph winds, heavy rain, and snow to the UK starting Friday. A yellow wind warning covers much of the UK, particularly Scotland and northern England. The Met Office warns of potential damage to buildings, transport disruptions, and power outages. Unstable weather conditions are expected, with significant rain and snow likely in northern regions. This storm follows earlier mild weather and is fueled by a strong Atlantic jet stream. Strong winds and hazardous conditions are anticipated through Saturday as temperatures drop across the UK.
The Bureau of Meteorology today named Storm Éowyn as 80 mph winds, along with heavy rain and snow, will wreak havoc starting Friday.
This will be the fifth named storm of the 2024/25 season, following Darragh on 6 December, Conall on 27 November, Bart on 22 November and Ashley on 20 October.
A yellow wind warning is in place for Scotland and northern England from late Friday night until midday Saturday.
The Met Office today updated its warning for Friday, covering most of the UK excluding Ireland, north-west Northern Ireland, London and the south-east.
Unstable conditions will begin to set in for the UK from Thursday, with winds picking up in the west and heavy rain expected overnight, the Met Office said.
This follows an outbreak of “mild” gray cloudy skies and rain seen in many parts of the country earlier in the week.
Storm Éowyn’s 80mph winds will batter high-profile areas of the UK on Friday and Saturday as the supercharged Atlantic jet stream pushes gusts across the country.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said “very strong” south-east to south-westerly winds could cause damage to buildings, disrupt public transport, close roads and bridges and cause power outages, while “flying debris could cause injuries and loss of life”. There is a potential for danger.”
The Yellow Wind Warning, which was in place from midnight on Friday to midday on Saturday, previously covered areas in the north, but was updated this afternoon to include much of the UK.
Storm Éowyn’s winds are expected to swirl across the UK on Friday, concentrating in the north, according to Met Office forecast maps.
Frozen Arctic air moves south across North America as much calmer air further south prepares to ‘supercharge’ the jet stream
He urged people in the warning zone to “be prepared to protect your property and people from injury.” Check for loose items outside your home and plan how to secure them. Items include: Garbage bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, sheds, fences, etc.
Wind speeds could reach 50 to 60 mph in inland areas, with gusts reaching 70 to 80 mph around West Coast areas.
The jet stream over the UK has been weak and widening over the past few days, allowing the high pressure to remain close and preventing any strong weather events from forming.
But the situation will change on Thursday as strong temperature contrasts from the collision of freezing arctic air moving south across North America and much calmer tropical air further south in the world “supercharge” the jet stream. seems to be changing.
A jet stream is expected to develop over the North Atlantic Ocean, with central wind speeds of more than 260 miles per hour, and the National Weather Service predicts it will be “probably the strongest winds of the winter so far” by Friday.
With a powerful injection of energy into the upper atmosphere, the low pressure system will rapidly deepen as it heads towards the UK, bringing with it the threat of strong winds and disruption on Friday and Saturday.
Torrential rain is also expected to occur in the north-west of the country, as temperatures are cold enough to dump snow on the hills of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.
Storm Éowyn is thought to bring more turbulent conditions for an extended period of time, with computer models suggesting a deeper area of low pressure could pass near the UK next week.
A person crosses the road during the morning commute in foggy weather in Walthamstow, east London, on January 21.
The Met Office’s wind forecast map for Friday and Saturday previously had a yellow warning in place for northern and western Scotland and Northern Ireland, but has since been updated to include much of the UK.
The freezing arctic air seen on Monday is moving south across North America, preparing to collide with tropical air further south around the world.
The contrast between cold air in the Arctic and warm air further south in the tropics will ‘supercharge’ the jet stream.
The jet stream heading towards the UK is expected to reach speeds of 250mph over the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday.
On Friday, the jet stream will arrive in the UK, bringing with it Storm Éowyn, with rain and windy weather expected
Gray clouds are expected to cover much of the UK today, with further rain expected in parts of northern England, Wales and northern Scotland.
Many commuters across the country went to work this morning under a thick blanket of low-hanging fog.
On Wednesday, showers will move down the country and into southern England.
Thursday will bring a big change in weather as a front bringing heavy rain moves into Japan and the Middle East.
The heaviest rain is expected to fall in north Wales and north-west England, with 20-30mm of rain possible in the hills and snow in the mountains of Scotland.
The strongest winds are expected to hit Northern Ireland and western Scotland on Friday, with speeds potentially reaching more than 130mph along the coastline and highlands.
The weather warning was issued five days ago, so further updates may be made in the coming days as more accurate data becomes available.