Wednesday, January 22, 2025 The British Isles are bracing for another winter storm as Storm Éowyn sweeps in, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and widespread travel disruptions. Following a spell of settled weather, conditions are set to deteriorate rapidly as the storm—fueled by an Arctic blast and a reinvigorated jet stream—ushers in a period of highly unsettled weather. The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for strong winds starting Friday, with additional warnings expected in the coming days.
Storm Éowyn will mark the end of the recent calm weather, as forecasts predict heavy rain and gale-force winds sweeping across the region beginning Thursday. The intensification of the jet stream is central to the development of Storm Éowyn. This high-altitude ribbon of fast-moving winds—which separates cold air in the north from warmer air in the south—has been relatively weak in recent weeks, allowing for more stable weather patterns.
However, the current Arctic blast sweeping North America is set to supercharge the jet stream, pushing wind speeds above 250 mph (400 km/h). These intensified jet stream winds will: Storm Éowyn’s combination of heavy rain and strong winds is expected to cause widespread travel disruptions: The current Arctic blast over North America plays a pivotal role in Storm Éowyn’s development. As frigid air from the Arctic meets warmer Atlantic air, the resulting temperature contrast amplifies the jet stream.
This rapid intensificatio.
