Storm Eleanor hits UK with gusts up to 160 km/h (100 mph)
More than 22 000 homes across Northern Ireland and 2 000 in England and Wales lost power after Storm Eleanor crashed into the British Isles late Tuesday, January 2 and into January 3, 2018. As of early Wednesday morning, two people sustained injuries after powerful winds produced by Eleanor downed a tree onto their car.
Wednesday morning was still very windy but the strongest winds from Storm Eleanor have now passed, the UK Met Office said 12:20 UTC today.
The strongest gusts were measured at Great Dun Fell at 160 km/h (100 mph), followed by Orlock Head at 145 km/h (90 mph), High Bradfield at 124 km/h (77 mph), and Northolt at 117 km/h (73 mph).
Thousands of homes were left without power as Eleanor swept through the country, some 22 000 homes in Northern Ireland and 2 000 in England and Wales.
The storm closed a number of major bridges and roads due to falling trees or as a precaution.
A Yellow warning for wind is still in effect until 19:00 local time for East Midlands, East of England, London & South East England, North East England, North West England, Northern Ireland, South West England, Wales, West Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber.
Satellite imagery shows how #StormEleanor developed overnight. The low has now moved into the North Sea but it'll remain a #windy day for many pic.twitter.com/OeGQO3Afpq
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2018
#StormEleanor bringing very strong winds for many, although winds lighter in central & northern Scotland. Blustery showers with sunny spells in between. Local hourly details here: https://t.co/RIkN6dgRnS pic.twitter.com/ttYddA1mkO
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2018
The centre of #StormEleanor is now moving out into the North Sea, but it will remain very windy in many areas. Yellow warnings remain in force https://t.co/oot4bcaksN pic.twitter.com/RZd9KlWDZC
— Met Office (@metoffice) January 3, 2018
"Storm Eleanor is now over the North Sea and will continue to move slowly away eastwards through today," UK Met Office's Chief Forecaster said.
Although winds are not expected to be as strong as Tuesday evening and last night it has left a swath of strong winds in its wake. Gusts on Wednesday morning are expected to reach 70 – 80 km/h (45 to 50 mph) in places inland while along the coasts gusts as high as 105 km/h (65 mph) are likely.
Winds will slowly ease from the west through the day although a second peak in winds speeds is expected across Northern Ireland for a time during the mid to late afternoon.
Featured image: Storm Eleanor at 12:00 UTC on January 3, 2018. Credit: SSEC, UW-CIMSS
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