As Storm Eowyn (pronounced "ay-oh-win") gathers intensity and barrels toward the UK’s coast, the ferocious jet stream has already wreaked havoc on air travel, leading to record-breaking flight speeds and looming delays that could upend travel plans for thousands.
With strong tailwinds generated by the jet stream, a British Airways flight from Las Vegas to Heathrow reached a ground speed of 814 mph - just 21 mph shy of the subsonic speed record of 835 mph.
Yahoo News reports the Boeing 747 capitalized on the jet stream, reducing its flight time by approximately an hour as it travelled across the Atlantic.
The Meteorological Office (Met), the United Kingdom's weather and climate service, has issued a rare red weather warning for Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, warning of gusts reaching up to 100 mph (approx. 160 km/h) with flying debris resulting in “danger to life."
The Met Office has issued a RED "danger to life" warning for WINDS on Friday across Northern Ireland and parts of southern Scotland.
Winds on exposed coasts could reach 100mph.
Full details: https://t.co/pM2VYUOyP9 pic.twitter.com/gLCpecc2Qu
— BBC Weather (@bbcweather) January 23, 2025
With the storm expected to impact the entire country over the weekend, airline operations are preparing for potential chaos. Liz Bentley, Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, said, “The subsonic speed record currently stands at 835 mph (1,345 km/h), so that record could well be broken in the coming hours.”
According to reports, commercial aircraft often utilize the jet stream to increase speed and decrease fuel consumption on transatlantic flights. However, the expected weather conditions significantly threaten airport operations and travel plans.
Warnings have been issued for several days, with forecasts predicting heavy rain and strong gusts starting Friday (24JAN), creating the potential for flight delays and cancellations. MSN reports torrential rain and heavy snow are expected as the storm prepares to strike from midnight tonight.
Travellers are advised to check the status of their flights and remain informed as airlines scramble to manage the disruptions caused by the impending storm.
