Along with flood alerts, many properties – particularly in Northern Eire – have been left with out energy.
Éowyn is the fifth storm that the Met Workplace has given a reputation to this season (which runs from September to August) following Ashley, Bert, Conall, and Darragh.
A tree lies on a highway throughout Storm Eowyn
REUTERS
Met Workplace chief meteorologist Paul Gundersen stated: “We reserve the issuing of purple warnings for probably the most extreme climate which represents a probable hazard to life and extreme disruption, and that’s the case with Storm Éowyn.
“Whereas it is going to be broadly very windy on Friday, with further hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most important impacts are possible in Northern Eire and central and southwestern elements of Scotland inside the Purple Warning areas, the place winds may gust 80-90 mph fairly broadly for a time, and probably as much as 100 mph for uncovered coasts particularly.”
People walking their dogs on a wind-swept beach at Tynemouth Longsands on the North East coast of England
Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
How are storms given their names?
Since 2015, the Met Office has been naming storms that it considers will have a medium or high impact potential in the UK – as well as its partners in Ireland and the Netherlands.
Met Office head of situational awareness Will Lang said: “This is the tenth year of us naming storms and we do it because it works. Naming storms helps to make communication of severe weather easier and provides clarity when people could be impacted by the weather.”
Storms are named when they’re deemed to have the potential to cause ‘medium’ or ‘high’ impacts in the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands.
“Wind is the primary consideration for naming a storm, but additional impacts from rain or snow will also be considered in the naming process,” the Met Office states.
The storm names for 2024/25, as publicised by the Met Office
Met Office
Who decides on the name of a storm?
The Met Office comes up with the names in partnership with its Irish and Dutch equivalents Met Éireann and KNMI. It means that Dutch and Irish names are in the mix alongside English ones.
Anyone can suggest a storm name and the Met Office receives 1000’s of concepts every year. It then meets Met Éireann and KNMI to finalise the alternatives. The Met Workplace receives nominations via social media and e-mail.
Eoin Sherlock, head of forecasting division in Met Éireann stated: “Our key precedence is to assist defend life and property from excessive climate and make sure the security of our communities. 12 months after 12 months storm naming proves efficient for that. Naming every storm will increase the extent of public security and preparedness as persons are extra prone to bear in mind and reply to warnings when storms are named.”
Éowyn strikes Edinburgh
REUTERS
Those that have been felt already:
