Storm Éowyn to bring strong winds to North Wales this weekend

Flintshire is bracing for Storm Éowyn, which is expected to bring disruptive winds and heavy rain to North Wales and other parts of the UK on Friday and Saturday.
The Met Office has issued Yellow Severe Weather Warnings, with gusts potentially exceeding 80mph in exposed areas, including northwestern Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England and western Scotland.
Heavy rainfall of 20–30mm is also forecast over higher ground, creating risks of localised flooding and travel disruption.
Storm Éowyn, pronounced ‘ay-oh-win, will begin to affect the UK early on Friday, bringing strengthening winds and heavy rain to southwestern areas before spreading northeast throughout the day.
Although much of the precipitation will fall as rain, there is a chance of snow over Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland as the system meets colder air.
However, milder conditions are expected to quickly replace the snow.
Storm Éowyn is the result of a large pool of very cold air over North America, which has created a stark temperature contrast across the continent.
This contrast has strengthened the jet stream, enabling deeper low-pressure systems to develop and move across the Atlantic towards the UK.
The Met Office noted that while recent days have been relatively calm, with grey skies and occasional rain, a dramatic shift in conditions will begin on Thursday.
A front bringing heavy rain will move eastwards during the day, with the highest rainfall expected in western parts of Scotland, England and Wales.
Met Office Deputy Chief Meteorologist Mike Silverstone said: “Storm Éowyn will bring a period of very unsettled, potentially disruptive, weather to the UK through Friday and into Saturday.
“The strongest gusts are likely to be felt across parts of Northern Ireland, northern England, northwestern Wales and western Scotland, where exposed sites could get gusts in excess of 80mph, which has the potential to cause impacts for those in these areas. There will also be some heavy rain, bringing some unpleasant conditions to end the week.
“The initial warning for Storm Éowyn has been issued several days in advance, so it’s important to stay up to date with the forecast as further details emerge in the coming days.”
With Storm Éowyn’s winds and rain likely to impact road conditions, the RAC has urged drivers to take extra precautions.
RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “The wet and windy weather brought about by Storm Éowyn will make driving much more of a challenge towards the end of this week, especially for those in the west of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Strong winds mean there’s a higher likelihood of fallen branches and trees on rural routes between motorways and A-roads, which can obstruct journeys and puncture tyres if not carefully avoided.”
Alice also warned about the dangers posed by sudden gusts, particularly along coastlines and exposed areas.
Drivers of high-sided vehicles are at greater risk of being blown off course, but cars may also be affected, especially when passing larger vehicles on motorways.
She advised reducing speeds and maintaining a firm grip on the wheel to avoid losing control.
What to Expect
- Strong Winds: Gusts of 50–60mph inland, rising to 70mph in coastal and hilly areas.
- Heavy Rainfall: 20–30mm likely on higher ground, increasing the risk of flooding and hazardous travel conditions.
- Travel Disruption: Delays and cancellations are possible on road, rail, air and ferry services, with some roads and bridges potentially closing.
- Power Outages: Power cuts may occur, possibly affecting mobile phone coverage.
- Flying Debris: Strong winds could dislodge roof tiles and other objects, posing a danger to life and property.
Looking Ahead
As Storm Éowyn weakens and moves northeast on Saturday, conditions will become less severe, though strong winds are expected to persist in northern areas.
For many, Saturday will be breezy but drier, with showers replacing the heavy rain.
However, by Sunday, another low-pressure system could bring more wet and windy weather across the UK, extending the period of unsettled conditions.
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