Storm Eowyn Leaves a Third of Ireland Without Power
New York TimesJan 22
Record Winds Leave Over 1M in Ireland, UK Without Power
story
Above: Ice skating rink collapse during the storm Eowyn in Blanchardstown, a suburb of Dublin, Ireland, on Jan. 24, 2025. Image copyright: Natalia Campos/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Storm Eowyn unleashed unprecedented winds across Ireland and the UK, with a record-breaking gust of 114mph (183 kmh) recorded at Mace Head, Ireland, surpassing the previous record set in 1945.
The storm, referred to as a "bomb cyclone," has left around 1M homes and businesses without power across Ireland and Northern Ireland, causing what officials describe as "unprecedented, widespread and extensive" damage to electricity infrastructure.
The severe weather prompted authorities to issue rare red warnings across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and parts of Scotland, leading to widespread closures of schools, transportation services, and businesses.
The Spin
Narrative A
While this storm was probably just a severe case of seasonal British Isles weather, its intensity should not be forgotten in regards to climate change and its impact on future weather patterns. As the Earth warms, regions like England and Ireland could face more storm-prone conditions, making destructive events like Storm Eowyn more frequent and potentially more severe.
Narrative B
Storm Eowyn was primarily driven by an unusually strong jet stream, caused by a sharp temperature contrast between North America's cold and the warm North Atlantic, not by climate change. While recent weather pattern shifts may predict more storms like this in the future, regional governments should focus on updating their general disaster preparedness and infrastructure.
