Storm Éowyn Disrupts UK and Ireland: Over 1,000 Flights Canceled Amid Severe Weather
Storm Éowyn has caused widespread chaos across the United Kingdom and Ireland, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, and travel disruptions. The storm, which hit the British Isles on January 24, led to over 1,000 flight cancellations, affecting major airports and leaving travelers stranded. Authorities issued severe weather warnings, highlighting the potential dangers of the storm, including wind gusts reaching up to 100 mph.
Over 1,000 Flights Canceled Due to Storm Éowyn
According to aviation analytics company Cirium, as of 10:00 AM (UTC +0) on January 24, 1,070 flights from UK and Irish airports had been canceled. This accounted for 20% of all scheduled flights, and the numbers were expected to change as the day progressed.
In the United Kingdom, the storm resulted in:
- 402 departing flights canceled (17% of total departures)
- 399 arriving flights canceled (17% of total arrivals)
The worst-affected airports in the UK included:
- Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
- Belfast International Airport (BFS)
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
- Glasgow Airport (GLA)
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Meanwhile, in Ireland, the storm caused:
- 141 departures canceled (41% of scheduled flights)
- 127 arrivals canceled (37% of scheduled flights)
The most affected airport in Ireland was Dublin Airport (DUB), where 119 departures and 109 arrivals were canceled.
Travel Disruptions at Their Peak
January 24 was expected to be a busy travel day, with 2,832 scheduled flights from Ireland and the UK. This included:
- 2,484 flights from UK airports
- 348 flights from Irish airports
Major airlines operating in the region, such as British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair, were significantly impacted. In Ireland, Aer Lingus and Ryanair had the highest number of scheduled departures, while British Airways operated 13 flights from Dublin to London Heathrow (LHR) and London City Airport (LCY).
Damaging Winds and Weather Warnings
The UK’s Met Office and Ireland’s Met Éireann warned that Storm Éowyn would remain strong through January 24, bringing heavy winds, rain, and snow. While the storm was expected to weaken by January 25, strong winds were still predicted, particularly in northern regions.
Severe Weather Warnings Issued
Before Storm Éowyn made landfall, the UK’s Met Office issued:
- Red Warnings for wind in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, indicating life-threatening conditions.
- Amber and Yellow Warnings for wind, rain, and snow across wider areas.
Paul Gundersen, Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office, explained that Red Warnings are only issued for the most severe weather conditions that pose significant risks to life. He warned that:
“While it will be widely very windy on Friday, with additional hazards from rain and snow, the strongest winds and most significant impacts are likely in Northern Ireland and central and southwestern parts of Scotland within the Red Warning areas, where winds could gust 80-90 mph widely and potentially up to 100 mph in exposed coastal areas.”
Similarly, Met Éireann issued:
- Red, Orange, and Yellow Warnings for the entire country on January 24.
- Yellow Warnings for snow and ice on January 25, excluding Dublin.
Storm Éowyn has severely impacted travel across the UK and Ireland, forcing airlines to cancel over 1,000 flights. Airports in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Dublin faced the worst disruptions. Authorities issued Red Warnings for wind, warning of life-threatening conditions, while strong winds, heavy rain, and snow continued to create hazardous travel conditions. As the storm weakens on January 25, travelers are still advised to check for flight updates and weather warnings before making their journeys.
