The Met Office has issued a double weather warning for Wales as Storm Éowyn approaches, bringing with it 80mph winds, rain, and snow. This storm is predicted to bring the strongest winds of the winter so far, causing potential chaos across the country. Forecasters have been monitoring the storm’s progress as it travels across the Atlantic, with warnings in place for the imminent severe weather conditions.
The first weather warning covers a large part of north and west coastal areas, beginning at midnight on Thursday and continuing into Friday. It is expected that Storm Éowyn will pass close to or across the northwest of the UK, bringing very strong winds. Peak gusts of 50-60mph inland, 60-70mph around some coasts and hills, and possibly up to 80mph in exposed parts of western Scotland are anticipated. The winds are forecasted to gradually ease across southern areas later on Friday.
The second warning covers the rest of Wales and is in place for the same period. As the storm progresses, the warning area has been expanded to cover a larger part of the UK. The Met Office has highlighted the likelihood of a high impact warning across certain regions and has advised that the wind strength will gradually ease as the storm moves across the country.
The affected areas in Wales include Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, and Wrexham. The weather forecast for Wales from Thursday to Saturday includes wet and increasingly windy conditions, with persistent heavy rain spreading eastwards through Thursday and Friday followed by blustery showers on Saturday.
The Met Office has raised concerns about the potential for “explosive cyclogenesis,” also known as a “weather bomb,” which could lead to the strongest winds of the year. This phenomenon is caused by a rapid deepening of low pressure systems, bringing the threat of gales and disruption. Amidst the stormy weather conditions, torrential downpours are also expected.
Storm Éowyn marks the fifth named storm of the 2024/25 season, following Darragh, Conall, Bert, and Ashley. The powerful jet stream winds exceeding 260mph above the Atlantic will contribute to the storm’s intensity as it approaches the UK. The Met Office has cautioned the public to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and to take necessary precautions to ensure safety during the severe weather conditions.
As preparations are underway to mitigate the potential impact of Storm Éowyn, residents of Wales are advised to stay informed about developments and adhere to any safety advice issued by the authorities. The Met Office will continue to monitor the storm’s progress and provide updates as necessary to keep the public well informed about the evolving weather situation.