How long is Storm Eunice expected to last and what precautions can you take?

Storm Eunice has now officially arrived in the UK and with multiple Met Office weather warnings in place there’ll be many people wondering how long it’s expected to last. 

From the moment Storm Eunice was forecast, it was clear that this was going to be a major storm. Following on closely when Storm Dudley ended earlier this week, initial predictions might have been more uncertain but it wasn’t long before the Met Office issued multiple weather warnings ahead of the major storm. The intensity of the oncoming high winds, rain and snow in the UK varies depending on the regions. However, regardless of where in the country you live, it’s important to be cautious as Storm Eunice takes hold.  

But what is Storm Eunice, how long might it last and what precautions could you take after the recent weather warnings?

What is Storm Eunice? 

Storm Eunice is the name given to the major storm currently affecting the UK, with BBC Weather reportedly revealing that it" could well be one of the worst storms in three decades". This latest storm follows on directly from Storm Dudley earlier this week, as well as Storm Malik and Storm Corrie in January. 

According to Sky News, so far during Storm Eunice gusts of 122mph have been recorded which are said to be the strongest in more than 30 years, with the wind speed being recorded on the Isle of Wight. As a result of the storm a series of weather warnings are currently in place across the UK, with "danger to life" thought "likely" in some areas and people encouraged to remain at home.

How long is Storm Eunice expected to last? 

If you’re wrapped up at home in your best cashmere sweater and warmest leggings, then you’re probably wondering how long Storm Eunice is expected to last. According to ITV, the conditions brought by Storm Eunice are expected to begin easing from the evening of February 18th.

ITV weather forecaster Becky Mantin told This Morning, "We are going to continue with the very windy conditions but in terms of Eunice itself, it is not going to be until later on this evening until things start to calm down."

The conditions will reportedly begin to settle in the west first, where the adverse conditions first set in. However the weekend of February 19th is still expected to be a windy one and Met Office warnings are currently still in place for southern England and Wales on Saturday and parts of Scotland on Sunday February 20th, as well as Monday, February 21st.

Where is Storm Eunice going to hit? 

Storm Eunice is predicted to have a widespread impact across the UK, however there are two areas in particular which could face the worst of the dangerous conditions. The Met office issued two rare Red Warnings for wind covering South Wales and the South West of England, and also southern England and the South East of England more specifically, reaching all the way down to the coast. 

The warning for Wales and the South West was issued the day before Storm Eunice’s arrival and is in place from 7am until 12pm on February 18th. The Met Office predicted “extremely strong” winds would develop over these areas early on, with inland gusts of up to 80mph thought “likely” and potential "danger to life".

Whilst near some coasts it’s thought around 90mph winds could be possible and “dangerous conditions” could take hold on beaches and seafronts. Thankfully for anyone living in South West England and South Wales, these intense winds brought by Storm Eunice are predicted to ease during the late morning. 

However, for southern England and the South East of England, the Met Office’s Red Warning is in place from 10am on February 18th until 15:00pm. It’s thought Storm Eunice will hit here with equally strong winds that will develop from mid-morning and move steadily eastwards by the middle of the day, reaching up to 60-70mph. 

These winds are expected to then begin to ease during the afternoon, though the English channel coast could “briefly” experience winds of up to 80 mph before this. These rare Red Warnings are of course the most severe the Met Office issues, though they aren’t the only ones currently in place. 

Storm Eunice is expected to hit huge swathes of the country as it moves across, with much of the Midlands facing an Amber Warning. This suggests that there is a “good chance” of "danger to life", with an Amber Warning being slightly less severe. 

Meanwhile, parts of south west Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England have a Yellow Warning for wind as gusts of 50-60mph are thought likely until 18:00pm. This predicts a “chance” of some damage to trees and properties and travel delays.

Further north in the UK, Storm Eunice is expected to bring major snowfall to Scotland, resulting in many Yellow Warnings being issued, as well as one for ice for the North of Scotland. Given the number of Met Office warnings currently in place, it seems Storm Eunice is going to hit the entire country, making caution key.

What are the current safety warnings and what precautions could you take? 

Within their weather warnings, the Met Office have warned Brits to expect a variety of potentially deadly conditions. This includes damage to buildings and homes, flying debris which could result in “danger to life”, as well as major travel disruption. They’ve suggested roads, bridges and railway lines could be closed, with cancellations and power cuts affecting other services. The Met Office said people should avoid travelling if they could and stay at home, especially when winds reach the highest speeds.

And with huge travel disruption expected, it would certainly make sense to remain at home and avoid venturing outside, especially during the time the warnings are in place for, unless it’s strictly necessary. For anyone wondering what safety precautions they could take amid Storm Eunice, the Met Office have also provided advice on how to stay safe in a storm once it’s arrived. 

These include staying indoors as much as possible and avoiding driving unless journeys are completely, strictly necessary. They suggest that if you do have to go outside it’s better to try not to walk or shelter close to buildings or trees. It's also advised that you try and enter and leave your home through doors on the sheltered side and closed doors behind you.

The Met Office have also advised keeping away from the sheltered side of boundary walls in case they collapse and to be extra careful when driving on more exposed routes such as bridges or high, open roads.

With Storm Eunice still battering areas of the UK, staying at home, avoiding travel wherever possible and keeping updated on all the weather warnings in place could be a very good idea as the country facing extreme conditions.