Why in the News?

Storm Éowyn has hit the British Isles with very strong winds, especially in Ireland and Scotland.

What are the meteorological characteristics of Storm Eowyn?

Explosive Cyclogenesis: Storm Éowyn qualifies as a “bomb cyclone,” with air pressure at its center dropping 50 millibars within 24 hours, significantly exceeding the 24-millibar threshold for explosive cyclogenesis. This rapid deepening is a hallmark of severe winter storms in the region.
Wind Speeds: The storm produced wind gusts exceeding 100 mph, with a record gust of 114 mph reported at Mace Head on Ireland’s west coast. The Met Office issued red warnings for widespread gusts of 80-90 mph, particularly affecting Northern Ireland and central and southern Scotland.
Jet Stream Influence: A strong jet stream, with winds exceeding 200 mph, played a crucial role in the storm’s development. The temperature contrast between cold air from the eastern US and warmer air over the North Atlantic contributed to this intensity.

Power Outages and Damage: Nearly one million properties across the British Isles experienced power outages due to downed trees and damaged infrastructure. Restoration efforts are expected to take several days, with some areas potentially facing up to ten days without power.
Transport Disruptions: The storm caused significant disruptions to road and rail services, with many routes blocked or cancelled due to hazardous conditions. Emergency services have been deployed to manage the aftermath.
Casualties: Tragically, at least one fatality was reported in Ireland when a tree fell on a vehicle due to the high winds. The overall impact of the storm has raised concerns about safety and emergency preparedness in affected regions.

Climate Change Considerations: While Storm Éowyn’s intensity raises questions about climate change’s role in extreme weather events, current research has not conclusively linked specific storm intensities or frequencies to climate change.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports low confidence in observed trends related to extratropical storms over the last century.
Future Storm Patterns: There are indications that future winter storms may become more frequent and clustered, leading to increased overall impacts. Additionally, as global temperatures rise, storms may exhibit more extreme wind speeds and rainfall due to a warmer atmosphere’s capacity to hold more moisture.
Potential for Sting Jets: There is speculation that Storm Éowyn may have developed “sting jets,” which can produce localized but extremely destructive winds. While their occurrence is difficult to predict, studies suggest that such phenomena may increase with future cyclones as atmospheric conditions evolve.

Strengthening Infrastructure & Emergency Preparedness – Governments should invest in resilient power grids, reinforced transportation networks, and improved early warning systems to mitigate the impact of extreme storms.
Climate Adaptation & Policy Measures – Policymakers should integrate climate resilience into urban planning, enforce stricter building codes, and invest in sustainable land management to reduce vulnerabilities.

Q Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.(UPSC IAS/2016)