Breaking
BOMBS AWAY
Met Office names first storm of the year as ‘explosive’ jet stream to bring ‘BOMB’ of 80mph winds & rain from US in days
The weather event will steer a deep area of low pressure towards British shores
THE Met Office has named the latest storm of the season with 80mph gusts and heavy rain on the cards.
Storm Éowyn is forecast to bring powerful winds to much of the UK on Friday and into Saturday, said meteorologists.
6
6
6
6
Forecasters confirmed a powerful jet stream is set to surge across the North Atlantic, bringing some of the strongest winds of the winter yet.
The Met Office issued fresh yellow wind warnings for Friday that now cover most of the UK.
Gusts of more than 80mph could cause power cuts and damage to buildings in areas under the alerts, the forecaster warned.
It also said there could be a danger to life caused by flying debris as well as likely disruption to road, rail, airports and ferry services.
Read More in UK News
Alerts are in place for the entirety of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as much of England, for the whole of Friday.
Areas affected by Friday's alerts include the south west of England, the south coast, the West Midlands, and everywhere north of Leicester.
While the warning ends for many at the end of Friday, the whole of Scotland, and parts of Northumberland and Cumbria, will remain in the affected area until 3pm on Saturday.
Storm Eowyn is the fifth named storm of the season after Storm Darragh brought strong winds and snow to parts of the UK.
Most read in The Sun
Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the weather agency, Chris Almond, told The Sun: “A very deep area of low pressure will bring a very unsettled, potentially disruptive, spell of weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday.
"Winds will begin to strengthen on Thursday night with the peak gusts forecast through Friday in Northern Ireland and western Scotland.
Met Eireann pinpoint stormy turn amid 'worrying' forecast with 'damaging' winds, 'heavy' snow & red warnings possible
"The wind will also be accompanied by heavy rain bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week."
Chris added: “As the low develops over the Atlantic and interacts with the jet stream it will rapidly strengthen, a phenomenon called ‘explosive cyclogenesis’, where the central pressure of a low at latitudes in which the UK lies drops 24 millibars or more in 24 hours.
"This is forecast to happen on Thursday while the system is out over the Atlantic and it will be a mature feature by the time it reaches the UK.”
Explosive cyclogenesis, also known as a weather bomb, brings fierce gales that are powerful enough to "bring down trees and cause structural damage", according to the Met Office.
Storm Eowyn will bring a spell of strong south-easterly to south-westerly winds, with gusts reaching 50-60 mph inland and 70-80 mph along coasts.
The wind strength is expected to ease gradually through Saturday from the south.
Brits have already been urged to brace for "disruptive" and "unpleasant" conditions by the end of this week with fresh alerts issued.
The Met Office has activated a yellow weather warning for wind from midnight on Thursday until 12pm on Saturday.
It covers the entirety of Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands and western Scotland.
The weather bomb is set to be sparked by a large amount of cold air moving over parts of North America, in stark contrast with higher temperatures across the continent.
What is a weather bomb?
Explosive cyclogenesis – sometimes informally known as ‘bombogenesis’ or a ‘weather bomb’ – is the name given to a rapidly deepening area of low pressure.
It must deepen at least 24 millibars in just one day and is often associated with major winter storms.
A “weather bomb” occurs when central pressure inside of a larger low pressure system falls at a rapid rate over 24 hours.
It creates a peak of violent winds that are strong enough to bring down trees and cause structural damage, according to the Met Office.
This creates deeper low pressure systems to develop, and strengthens the jet stream.
It is also expected to unleash heavy rainfall, with forecasters cautioning that the conditions could disrupt travel and outdoor activities.
Affected areas may experience localised flooding and delays, particularly in northern regions.
Met Office spokeswoman Andrea Bishop said: "Storm Eowyn will bring a period of very unsettled, potentially disruptive, weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday.
"Pronounced 'Ay-oh-win', the system will begin to influence the UK's weather on Friday, with strengthening winds initially in north-western parts of the UK with accompanying heavy rainfall.
"Updates to our current warnings will follow shortly and the forecast details are likely to be fine-tuned during the week, so stay tuned to your local forecast and keep up to date with Met Office warnings via our website and app."
And potential snowfall in the north may also add to the disruption, according to the Met Office.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The forecaster said in their long range weather forecast: "The change to much more unsettled conditions will begin on Friday as a deep area of low pressure, which is yet to develop, will be steered towards the UK on a powerful Jet Stream - fuelled by the recent cold spell over North America.
"A wet and windy few days are likely, with some snow in the north for a time, and then a continuation of these periods of rain followed by showers, often accompanied by strong winds, looks likely for the rest of the month and the start of February."
6
6
Topics