The UK's Stormy Start to 2025
The UK's new year began with a turbulent bang as extreme winds and rain battered the country in January. Storm Eowyn brought severe conditions, with rare red warnings issued for Northern Ireland for the first time ever. Gusts exceeding 90mph were recorded, causing widespread damage, nationwide power outages, and tragically, the death of a 20-year-old man.
This extreme weather event follows a string of storms that plagued the UK in the latter half of 2024. Between October and December, storms Ashley, Bert, Connall, and Darragh brought relentless weather phenomena, leaving residents with barely a moment's respite. Now, the country is facing the effects of Storm Herminia, named by the Spanish weather service.
The Met Office, responsible for naming storms in the UK since 2015, assigns names when a storm has the potential to cause disruption or damage, leading to an amber or red weather warning. This decision is based on the National Severe Weather Warnings service criteria, which considers the severity and likelihood of the storm's impact.
The prevalence of storms in the UK can often be attributed to the jet stream, a high-altitude air column that influences wind and pressure patterns. This phenomenon can steer the UK into the path of low-pressure systems, increasing the likelihood of unsettled weather conditions.
Dr. Amy Doherty, science manager at the Met Office's National Climate Information Centre, explains that the UK has a long history of impactful storms, dating back centuries. While there is significant year-to-year variability in the number and intensity of these storms, no clear trend has been observed in recent decades.
However, most climate projections indicate that winter storms in the UK will increase in number and intensity due to climate change. While the frequency and intensity of these storms will vary, the Met Office is confident that the coastal impacts of windstorms will worsen as sea levels rise.
0 Comments
Name
Comment Text