JERSEY will not be in the firing line of Storm Eowyn, which is due to batter Ireland today and potentially bring wind gusts of up to 100mph across Wales and the north of England tomorrow, according to forecasters.
But the Island is expected to see a spell of wet and windy weather, and an orange weather warning was issued yesterday afternoon for force eight winds and gusts to 55mph.
Matt Winter, senior forecaster for Jersey Met, yesterday said that a recent settled spell featuring cold, dry weather was now being replaced with more changeable conditions.
“The predicted path of Storm Eowyn will be quite far north relative to the Channel Islands, but the winds here will pick up later on Thursday and by Friday we are likely to see winds of force seven to eight, with gusts of 50 to 60mph, and some quite heavy rain at times,” he said. “There might be some branches down or perhaps the odd tree, but really it’s just a typical winter storm.”
After a wet start to the month, with more than 100mm of rain in ten days exceeding January’s average monthly total, just 2.4mm of rain were recorded between 10 January and 9am yesterday.
Much calmer, drier conditions are forecast for Saturday, but the respite will be temporary.
Mr Winter added: “We will have a brief ridge of high pressure across us on Saturday, but things are set to ramp up on Sunday, with winds picking up to force seven or eight and further rainfall.”
