⚠️ Storm Éowyn - Fri 24.01.25 (**Please read Mod Instruction in OP.**)

This is maximum gusts over a 24 hour period by the met Office for tomorrow

Came across this

Night of the Big Wind

The incoming Storm Éowyn would appear to be on the scale of the 'Night of the Big Wind', 6-7 January 1839. The centre of the storm to the north of Ireland is forecast to be as low as 938 Millibars (MB). The storm 186 years ago was 20 MBs lower at its centre. However, the pressure over Kerry at the height of this storm may well be lower than it was here on the night of the big wind.

In the 1839 storm, the number killed may have been about three hundred. It was calculated that 4,846 chimneys were knocked. How the fallen chimneys could be counted so accurately, and the dead so vaguely is strange. Trees were a valuable commodity and some Landlords had grown fine stands. These were valuable on January 6 and almost worthless on January 7, 1839. There was a glut of firewood on the market.

Many people lost their small savings, secreted inside the thatch when roofs were carried off. There was no weather forecasting at the time and the storm arrived unannounced. Winds reached 120 miles per hour in what was a category three hurricane. Twenty-five percent of the houses in Dublin were destroyed and 42 ships were sunk along the east coast.

From Kerry, it was reported that the “well-constructed Listowel Arms Hotel” was damaged and in the same town, the police under Chief Constable Fletcher were credited with saving many lives. There were no deaths in Listowel.

The 1908 Old Age Pensions Act came into law in January 1909 for those over 70 years of age – exactly 70 years after the Night of the Big Wind. Over a quarter of a million applied and within a year over 180,000 had been deemed successful. Contrary to popular belief, the acceptance of a memory of the Big Wind as proof of age in a claim for the Old Age Pension is not backed up by any records of the time. There is a belief that some official of the Board may have asked people who were having trouble providing proof of their age what they were doing on the night of the Big Wind but when large numbers answered “eating a potato out of my hand” that approach was quickly dropped.

Very very wild in East Cork already and we look to be getting off lightly compared to most of the country later tonight and tomorrow morning.

Significant increase in wind here already in east Limerick City, not looking forward to the main event.

Oh maybe will make it to Dublin Airport in advance of my 1340 Ryanair flight ............all to schedule on departues it seems 😅

I hear heavy rain on the window.

5⁰ Meath

Also it's to be 0c to 4c tomorrow night so those without power it will be cold even in your house so put your heating on now be it oil or gas or electric just so it's nice and toasty ,also Sunday could see another storm but less intense but similar pressure

Gust just now in waterford sent the lamppost outside shaking badly

Delighted with that tbh. Means I can stay in bed for the night

My undefined small mongrel dog is extra clingy this evening and a few growls out of him at nothing, he never even growls at something

Was snowing between the raindrops - out for a quick dog comfort break - South Sligo 90masl

he had snow on his coat for a few seconds

the ear popping gives it away. its not far off now

My other half lives within 500 meters of the Galway prom, so encouraged her to head to her folks inland. Glad she's there now having seen the latest charts

bbc news reporting live from westport

Feeding off your nerves?