A tree fell on a man’s automobile, resulting in the first Storm Eowyn-related death ever reported in Ireland. As Storm Eowyn’s hurricane-force winds continue to pound the British Isles, a man has died in Ireland.
Throughout Friday, winds over 100 mph struck portions of the UK and Ireland, causing flights to be cancelled, roads to be closed, and ferry services to be discontinued.
The violent storm has also caused millions of people throughout the Isles to lose power.
Following Storm Eowyn’s record-breaking wind gusts, a cold blast has hit areas of the UK, prompting the issuance of snow and rainfall warnings. After at least 1,070 flights were cancelled and 150,000 passengers were impacted on Friday, travel chaos is predicted to persist over the weekend.
Northern Ireland is under a snow and ice warning through Saturday morning, while the majority of northern Scotland will be under a yellow snow warning through Friday evening.
The warnings will remain in effect for much of Scotland and Northern Ireland into Saturday. Much of England and Wales will also be under an ice warning issued by the Met Office.
Additionally, a second yellow wind warning will be issued for Wales, Northern Ireland, and southwest and northwest England on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
At 5:30 a.m. on Friday, a tree fell on a man’s car in Feddyglass near Raphoe, Ireland, making him the first verified storm-related fatality. Ireland’s previous record of 113 mph, set in 1945, was surpassed on Friday when wind speeds in County Galway reached 114 mph.
One million people in the UK and Ireland are without power as a result of the storm’s extensive damage to the electrical grid. Rain and yellow wind warnings are in effect from Sunday through Monday.
Jason Kelly, chief meteorologist for the Met Office, stated: “The influence of Storm Éowyn on the UK’s weather will diminish as it moves further north and east on Saturday morning, but there’s little respite in the conditions for some with the next area of low pressure arriving from the southwest on Sunday.
“While Sunday’s system doesn’t have the same strength as Eowyn’s, it will hamper some recovery efforts and bring further wind and rain, with the possibility of some flooding in places.
“10-20mm of rain will fall quite widely on Sunday in central and southern England and much of Wales and Northern Ireland, with 30-50mm possible over high ground. Thundery showers could top up totals later in the day for some.
“With this rain falling on saturated ground in many places, there’s a chance of flooding for some, with winds an accompanying hazard with the system.”
After a recent cold period over North America, a strong jet stream is bringing low pressure across the Atlantic and towards the UK, according to the Met Office, which is causing the change in circumstances.