US hurricane hunters race to Ireland for Storm Eowyn as weather warnings hit life-threatening levels

US hurricane hunters have arrived in Ireland ahead of Storm Eowyn, which is expected to make landfall later this week. Forecasters warn that the "danger to life" storm will bring destructive winds of up to 130km/h, heavy rain and even snow in some areas.

Met Eireann has issued Status Red weather warnings - its highest alert level - for the entire country in advance of the storm's arrival early Friday morning. The warnings will take effect at various times, starting from 2am and continuing through the morning and afternoon. A full timeline is listed below.

The warnings predict gale to storm-force southerly winds shifting to westerly, bringing severe and damaging gusts. Impacts will include danger to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, cancellation of events, structural damage, wave overtopping and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas.

As the storm approaches, a US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 'hurricane hunter' plane, known as 'Kermit', was spotted arriving at Shannon Airport. The Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircraft is essential for gathering data to help improve hurricane forecasting, especially in areas where traditional radar or satellites can't reach.

NOAA's hurricane forecasting relies on radar, satellites and computer models, but these can miss vital data. To fill those gaps, NOAA uses the Orions to gather low-altitude data that helps create more accurate storm forecasts.

The planes are equipped with sophisticated instruments to measure atmospheric conditions, while GPS dropwindsondes are deployed to gather data on wind speed, temperature, humidity and pressure. The Orions also use Doppler radar to give researchers a detailed look at the storm’s structure. They also use Step Frequency Microwave Radiometers (SFMRs) to measure wind speeds at the ocean’s surface, which are crucial for the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts.

While it's not uncommon for the 'Hurricane Hunters' to be in Ireland, many weather and aviation enthusiasts are speculating that 'Kermit' is here to collect data on Storm Eowyn. X user birrlad posted photos of 'Kermit' arriving at Shannon on Saturday afternoon.

They said: "Arriving @ShannonAirport this afternoon @NOAA WP-3D Orion N42RF. #avgeek #aviation #orion #noaa #HurricaneHunter #kermit #ShannonAirport #planespotting #realaircraft."

Storm Eowyn weather warning timeline

9pm Thursday to 3am Friday - Status Yellow rain warning for Cork, Kerry and Waterford

The warning states: "Heavy rain leading to localised flooding."

2am Friday to 10am Friday - Status Red wind warning for Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford

The warning states: "Storm Éowyn: Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h. Impacts include danger to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, cancellation of events, structural damage, wave overtopping, and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas."

2am Friday until 5pm Friday - Status Orange wind warning for Ireland

The warning states: "Storm Éowyn: Gale force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and destructive gusts of up to 130km/h widely, with even higher gusts for a time. Impacts include fallen trees, damage to power lines and power outages, structural damage, very difficult travelling conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport and wave overtopping."

3am Friday to 12noon Friday - Status Red wind warning for Clare and Galway

The warning states: "Storm Éowyn: Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h. Impacts include danger to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, cancellation of events, structural damage, wave overtopping, and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas."

4am Friday to 12noon Friday - Status Red wind warning for Leitrim, Mayo and Sligo

The warning states: "Storm Éowyn: Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h. Impacts include danger to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, cancellation of events, structural damage, wave overtopping, and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas."

6am Friday to 12noon Friday - Status Red wind warning for Cavan, Monaghan, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Roscommon and Tipperary

The warning states: "Storm Éowyn: Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h. Impacts include danger to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, cancellation of events, structural damage, wave overtopping, and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas."

6am Friday to 3pm Friday - Status Red wind warning for Donegal

The warning states: "Storm Éowyn: Gale to storm force southerly winds becoming westerly will bring severe, damaging and extremely destructive gusts in excess of 130km/h. Impacts include danger to life, extremely dangerous travelling conditions, unsafe working conditions, disruption and cancellations to transport, many fallen trees, significant and widespread power outages, impacts to communications networks, cancellation of events, structural damage, wave overtopping, and coastal flooding in low-lying and exposed areas."

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