Storm Barra
Barra on 7 December over Ireland
TypeExtratropical cyclone
Bomb cyclone
European windstorm
Formed5 December 2021
Dissipated9 December 2021
Lowest pressure956[1] mb (28.23 inHg)
Fatalities3 reported + 1 missing
DamageUnknown
Power outages59,000[2]
Areas affectedFrance, Ireland, United Kingdom, Spain

Storm Barra was a hurricane-force extratropical bomb cyclone in the North Atlantic Ocean that impacted Ireland and the United Kingdom with damaging gusts and heavy rainfall. Barra was also the reason for one of Navarre in Spain's worst floods in two decades. A surface low first developed over the Atlantic Ocean, which would eventually become Barra. This system rapidly intensified owing to approaching Ireland, bottoming from 1,010 to 956 hectopascals (29.8–28.2 inHg) in just 24 hours.[1] It then impacted the country, before weakening and moving through the United Kingdom. As it entered the North Sea, it further degraded and was absorbed by the frontal system of "Justus", an extratropical cyclone named by the Free University of Berlin (FUB).

Barra caused widespread preparations in Ireland and the UK. Schools were canceled, and weather alerts were placed for the possible areas to be affected by the impeding cyclone. COVID-19 test drives, along with hospital operations in the former were also disrupted. The strongest wind gust reported from the storm was 115 km/h (32 m/s) in Sherkin Island. Different properties were damaged, and trees were felled in Ireland, and also in the UK, where snow impacted areas of Scotland. Over 59,000 households also lost electricity. The storm also caused devastating floods in Spain, where one was killed. Overall, one death each was confirmed in Ireland, the UK and Spain, respectively and the damages were unknown.

Meteorological history

An extratropical cyclone near Greenland contributed to the predecessor of Barra.[3] On 5 December 2021, a circulation formed over the northern Atlantic Ocean, from a surface low. The Free University of Berlin (FUB) named it "Harry" with a pressure of 1,010 hectopascals (30 inHg).[4] On the same day, Met Éireann named this developing system "Barra", as it was forecasted to bring strong gusts to Ireland.[5] The storm began to move northwestwards, and started to rapidly intensify whilst nearing Ireland, with its pressure falling to 965 hPa (28.5 inHg) according to a weather map by the FUB on 6 December.[6] However, a 12:00 UTC weather map by the Met Office, the weather agency of the United Kingdom, indicated a much lower pressure of 957 hPa (28.3 inHg).[7] The United States Ocean Prediction Center analysed an even lower pressure of 956 hPa (28.2 inHg) on the system.[1] Nevertheless, the storm moved over the Irish Sea and again over mainland United Kingdom.[8] At one occasion, Barra's eye moved over Ulster.[9] On 8 December, Barra rapidly weakened as it entered the North Sea before merging with the frontal system of an extratropical cyclone, in which the FUB named as "Justus".[10][11]

In regards to the storm's naming, the name "Barra" was confirmed to be from the BBC Northern Ireland weatherman Barra Best.[12][13]

Preparations and impacts

Barra is seen to impact Ireland and the United Kingdom, after Storm Arwen caused widespread power disruptions to the said countries.[14] The storm is also forecasted to be "less severe" than the previous Arwen.[15]

Ireland

All schools, colleges, universities and childcare facilities,[16] COVID-19 vaccination and testing centres, and bus operations in red or orange weather alert areas were suspended in parts of the country,[17] along with Met Éireann issuing red warnings to counties Cork, Clare and Kerry.[18] Orange and yellow warnings were also placed for other counties in the country. Winds up to 140 km/h (39 m/s) were forecasted to impact the area, with authorities there warning people across Ireland to stay in their homes for their own safety.[19][20] Storm surge from the cyclone, along with snow and hail were also foreseen to slash the country.[21] Marine warnings were also posted to warn fishermen not to venture along the rough waters, along with flood levees being built in Mallow and Fermoy. The HSE suspended hospital and other essential services,[22] and traffic was disrupted.[23][24] Several flight operations from Aer Lingus were also cancelled and many night events were postponed.[25] National parks and court hearings across the country were also shut down.[26] Coastal flooding were also feared, due to tides. The weather agency of Ireland called Barra a "significant and severe weather event" as the country brunts the storm's impacts.[27]

As Barra made landfall by 7 December, a wind gust of 115 km/h (32 m/s) was registered at Sherkin Island, according to Met Éireann. Roches Point recorded a gust of 104 km/h (29 m/s) in the same period. Mace Head, meanwhile reported a pressure of 965 hPa (28.5 inHg).[28][29] The Fastnet Lighthouse revealed a wind gust of 87 kn (45 m/s) by 09:56 UTC and 11:32 UTC.[30][31] As anticipated, high tides caused flooding over Cork, along with trees being fallen.[32] The River Lee overflowed due to the storm, flooding areas near the basin. Areas over Cork and Kerry had power outages,[33] and 59,000 homes and businesses in Ireland were reportedly without power on 7 December.[34][35] The National Emergency Coordination Group were briefed that the worst impacts were still to come.[36] Concern was raised at the meeting that some people in Cork and Kerry were not heeding warning to stay indoors.[37] A two-vehicle incident due to bad weather induced by Barra killed a person and injured two more on 7 December in the afternoon.[38] Many public and private property also suffered damages, mainly due to them being crushed by a falling tree. The M8 Dublin–Cork motorway also reported damages, with being described as "significant".[39] Fishing vessels were also battered by Barra's rough waves, where a skipper of a large vessel "Dawn Ross" described the impacts of the storm as the "worst in 20 years". There were also stranded people at the Fastnet Lighthouse.[40]

All schools, colleges, universities and childcare facilities reopened on 9 December.[41][42]

United Kingdom

As a precaution, Wales' railway administration has created emergency train schedules for Barra. Wind gusts of 31 m/s (70 mph) were forecasted to slash the area's coastal regions while a slightly lower 22 m/s (50 mph) for the mainland.[43][44] A yellow weather alert was placed for Northern Ireland due to Barra as a result of the strong gusts being foreseen to impact the county. Same wind gusts were being expected.[45] Scotland and England were also forecasted to see strong winds from Barra. Yellow alerts were placed for these areas.[46] Flood and snow alerts were also issued.[47] Many bridges were closed in Scotland and ferry operations were stopped as a precaution in the state and in Wales.[48][49]

In Northern Ireland, some thousands of homes and businesses lost power. Derry also saw minor flooding. Rough waves also pounded cars that are near the seawall road on an area in the region.[50][51] Due to the intemminent weather in Scotland, train operations from the region and down to England were halted. Several trees also led train operators to cancel their services.[52] Snow conditions were also documented in A82 road and over South Lanarkshire.[48][51] Gwynedd of Wales got its highest gust recording from the storm, at 38 m/s (86 mph). Many schools across the region also lost its roofing due to strong winds. Tree obstructions and minor flooding were also documented.[49] According to the Met Office, except for Gwynedd that recorded its highest wind gust from the system for 8 December, County Down in Northern Ireland reported 34 m/s (76 mph) and Pembrey Sands at Dyfed collected 33 m/s (73 mph).[53] 80 year-old Venetia Smith drowned on 7 December in the River Stour in Dorset after falling off a road bridge during the storm.[54] A Dorset Council office building in Dorchester was damaged and closed for a number of days.[55] A commercial plane in Manchester also had problems in landing, but made it successfully. Exmouth also saw large waves from Barra.[56]

France

In France, the cold front associated with the storm gave heavy rains in the Landes, causing a pile-up on the Autoroute A63, disrupting rail traffic and flooding some roads on 8 December.[57] The system also left large amounts of rain or snow in the Pyrenees and Eastern France, depending on the altitude.[58][59]

Spain

In Navarre, a falling farmhouse led to the death of a woman. A 61-year-old man was also reported missing and has not yet been found.[60] Floods in Villava – Atarrabia also reached above their homes, forcing 20 people to leave their houses. 60–70 individuals also lost power in the city.[61] The Arga River also overflowed, inundating all residences under floodwaters; the floods from the reservoir was described as the "worst in 20 years". Transportation services and some residential areas were also isolated. The Vice President of Navarre, Javier Remírez also noted that the province is under a "very critical and very extraordinary situation" due to the event. 3,650 households also lost electricity in the community.[62] Snow also impacted the northern portion of the country. Pamplona, Lacunza, Zubieta also saw major inundation problems.[63] Deba River in Basque Country also broke its banks, affecting a hospital in a town while flooding warnings were issued in Aragon and Cantabria. Two more streams in Burgos' north also overflowed, impacting and cancelling school classes in two areas. Several rescues are also conducted in the county.[64][61]

According to Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), on 8 December, the San Sebastian Airport in Gipuzkoa reported a wind gust of 143 km/h (40 m/s). Posada de Valdeon, Soto in León registered a rainfall of 113.6 mm (4.47 in) on the next day.[65][66]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Storm Barra crashes into Ireland, UK with deadly force". Accuweather. 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "Storm Barra leaves thousands without power in Ireland". TheGuardian. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  3. ↑ "Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-12-04". Institut für Meteorologie. Free University of Berlin (FUB). 4 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  4. ↑ "Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-12-05". Institut für Meteorologie. Free University of Berlin (FUB). 5 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ↑ Met Éireann [@MetEireann] (5 December 2021). "Met Éireann name #StormBarra to impact Ireland on Tuesday and Wednesday" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  6. ↑ "Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-12-06". Institut für Meteorologie. Free University of Berlin (FUB). 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  7. ↑ "Met Office Analysis Chart, Valid 1200 UTC Tuesday, 07 December 2021". Met Office. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  8. ↑ "Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-12-07". Institut für Meteorologie. Free University of Berlin (FUB). 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  9. ↑ Met Éireann [@MetEireann] (7 December 2021). "Latest satellite image shows the eye of #StormBarra over Ulster, orange level and yellow level winds affecting the north and west at the moment. Keep safe and follow local safety advice!" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ↑ "Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-12-08". Institut für Meteorologie. Free University of Berlin (FUB). 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "Europe Weather Prognosis on 2021-12-09". Institut für Meteorologie. Free University of Berlin (FUB). 9 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  12. ↑ Declan Harvey [@NewsDeclan] (1 September 2021). "Evelyn Cusack from @MetEireann confirms #StormBarra is, in fact, named after our very own @BarraBest" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ McGovern, Eimear (6 December 2021). "Storm Barra named after BBC NI weather presenter". The Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  14. ↑ Sophie Wingate (7 December 2021). "Storm Barra to batter UK with disruptive winds, heavy rain and snow". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  15. ↑ Murrison, Pip (7 December 2021). "Storm Barra vs Storm Arwen: Which was worse?". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  16. ↑ "Statement from the Department of Education on Storm Barra - 6 December 2021". gov.ie. Department of Education. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  17. ↑ "Statement from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on severe weather". gov.ie. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  18. ↑ "Warnings & Advisories - Today Tuesday 07 December 2021". Met Éireann. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  19. ↑ Katherine Donnelly, Amy Molloy and Allison Bray (6 December 2021). "Storm Barra: Creches, childcare, schools and colleges to close in counties hit by Red and Orange warnings". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  20. ↑ Ralph Riegel, Ciara O'Loughlin, Amy Molloy, Gabija Gataveckaite and Seoirse Mulgrew (6 December 2021). "Storm Barra: Taoiseach warns of 'very, very difficult' day tomorrow as Status Red alerts issued for three counties". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ Ciara O'Loughlin and Allison Bray (6 December 2021). "130km/h winds 'not to be sniffed at': Status Red sea warning as Storm Barra 'is coming in like a freight train'". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  22. ↑ "HSE Statement on Storm Barra - Health Service Disruptions". Health Service Executive. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  23. ↑ Concubhar Ó Liatháin (6 December 2021). "Schools closing and hospital services impacted by Storm Barra". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  24. ↑ Steve Neville; Eoin English; Vivienne Clarke; Aoife Moore; Jess Casey (6 December 2021). "Storm Barra: Creches, Schools and third-level institutions in 12 counties ordered to close tomorrow". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  25. ↑ "Storm Barra: Coastal areas braced for strong winds". BBC News. 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  26. ↑ "Storm Barra: What areas will be worst hit and what is closing?". Irish Times. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  27. ↑ Colm Keena, Aine Kenny (7 December 2021). "Schools and colleges close as Storm Barra poses 'danger to life'". Irish Times. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  28. ↑ "Latest Weather Observations on 07-December-2021 For 07:00". Met Éireann. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  29. ↑ "Latest Weather Observations on 07-December-2021 For 08:00". Met Éireann. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  30. ↑ Fastnet Lighthouse [@FastnetLHouse] (7 December 2021). "Avg Wind:75kts, Gust:87kts, Wind Dir:294 °(NW), Gust Dir:299 °(NW) at 07/12/2021 09:56:00" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  31. ↑ Fastnet Lighthouse [@FastnetLHouse] (7 December 2021). "Avg Wind:72kts, Gust:87kts, Wind Dir:301 °(NW), Gust Dir:303 °(NW) at 07/12/2021 11:32:00" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ Dragh Brophy (7 December 2021). "LIVE: 'Remain indoors' alert now in place in Status Red counties as Storm Barra makes landfall". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  33. ↑ Eoin English (7 December 2021). "Flooding in Cork and homes without power as 'weather bomb' shut schools and vaccine centres". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  34. ↑ "Storm Barra: More than 59,000 homes, farms and businesses without power". BreakingNews.ie. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  35. ↑ Blaney, Amy; Clarke, Vivienne; Carswell, Simon (7 December 2021). "Storm Barra: Schools, creches and colleges in 11 counties advised to close tomorrow". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  36. ↑ "Flooding, power cuts and transport disruption as storm crosses country". RTÉ News and Current Affairs. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  37. ↑ Riegel, Ralph; Gataveckaite, Gabija; O'Loughlin, Ciara (7 December 2021). "Storm Barra: Thousands to be without power overnight as schools in 11 counties to remain closed on Wednesday". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  38. ↑ Fallon, John (8 December 2021). "Tributes after renowned GAA player dies in Co Galway road crash, pedestrian killed in separate incident". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "Storm Barra leaves behind nationwide trail of destruction". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  40. ↑ "Storm Barra swoops on Ireland and the United Kingdom". Sky News. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  41. ↑ "Statement from the Department of Education on Storm Barra - 8 December 2021". gov.ie. Department of Education. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  42. ↑ Casey, Jess (8 December 2021). "Storm Barra: All schools to reopen as normal on Thursday morning". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  43. ↑ Cathy Owen (6 December 2021). "Met Office hour-by-hour forecast as Storm Barra set to batter Wales". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  44. ↑ Emily Withers (6 December 2021). "Trains in Wales using emergency timetable ahead of Storm Barra". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  45. ↑ Eimear McGovern (6 December 2021). "Storm Barra named after BBC NI weather presenter". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  46. ↑ "Storm Barra: Where in the UK will be hit and what weather warnings are in place?". ITV News. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  47. ↑ "Storm Barra leaves thousands without power in Ireland | UK weather | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  48. 1 2 Claire Galloway (7 December 2021). "Dramatic footage shows Scots road in blizzard conditions amid Storm Barra". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  49. 1 2 Cathy Owen and Ryan O'Neil (7 December 2021). "Live updates as Storm Barra brings 70mph winds, heavy rain and snow". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  50. ↑ "Thousands of homes lose electricity as Storm Barra passes over Northern Ireland". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  51. 1 2 "Storm Barra: Extreme weather causes chaos in the UK and Ireland". The Sun. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  52. ↑ "Storm Barra brings travel chaos as rail services cancelled and key routes closed as gusts near 70mph". The Scotsman. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  53. ↑ Met Office [@metoffice] (7 December 2021). "Winds continue to increase across the UK. Here are the maximum wind gusts from #StormBarra so far" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  54. ↑ Brazell, Emma (8 December 2021). "Pensioner, 80, dies after falling in river during Storm Barra". Metro. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  55. ↑ "Storm Barra: Dorchester building's roof made safe". BBC News. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  56. ↑ "Storm Barra: Plane struggles to land in fierce winds in Manchester". The Sun. 8 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  57. ↑ "Tempête Barra dans les Landes : un mois de précipitation en quelques heures et des accidents en série". South-West (in French). 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  58. ↑ Kévin Floury [@kevinfloury] (9 December 2021). "#Snow is falling in abundance this Thursday morning at #Peyragudes" (Tweet) (in French). Retweeted by keraunosObs. Retrieved 9 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  59. ↑ "Météo-France place les Alpes-Maritimes en vigilance jaune aux avalanches, neige-verglas, pluie-inondation et vagues-submersion ce mercredi". Nice Matin (in French). 8 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  60. ↑ "Dos fallecidos y riadas históricas: las consecuencias del temporal por la borrasca Barra". abc (in Spanish). 11 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  61. 1 2 "La borrasca 'Barra' se despide del norte tras causar inundaciones históricas y una fallecida en Navarra" [The storm 'Barra' says goodbye to the north after causing historical floods and a death in Navarra]. Nius Diario (in European Spanish). 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  62. ↑ "Las inundaciones sumen Pamplona en el caos y dejan Navarra en situación "muy crítica"" [The floods throw Pamplona into chaos and leave Navarra in a "very critical" situation]. Nius Diario (in European Spanish). 10 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  63. ↑ "Northern Spain sees major floods following Storm Barra". Global News. 11 December 2021. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  64. ↑ "Borrasca Barra: los rescates más arriesgados de las inundaciones en Navarra y País Vasco" [Borrasca Barra: the riskiest rescues from the floods in Navarra and the Basque Country]. telecinco (in European Spanish). 10 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  65. ↑ AEMET [@AEMET_Esp] (8 December 2021). "#DatosAEMET registrados hoy. Puedes consultar los datos PROVISIONALES de estaciones automáticas de AEMET de hoy y días recientes en http://aemet.es/es/eltiempo/observacion/ultimosdatos" [#DatosAEMET registered today. You can consult the PROVISIONAL data of AEMET automatic stations for today and recent days inhttp://aemet.es/es/eltiempo/observacion/ultimosdatos] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 December 2021 – via Twitter.
  66. ↑ AEMET [@AEMET_Esp] (9 December 2021). "#DatosAEMET registrados hoy. Puedes consultar los datos PROVISIONALES de estaciones automáticas de AEMET de hoy y días recientes en http://aemet.es/es/eltiempo/observacion/ultimosdatos" [#DatosAEMET registered today. You can consult the PROVISIONAL data of AEMET automatic stations for today and recent days inhttp://aemet.es/es/eltiempo/observacion/ultimosdatos] (Tweet) (in Spanish). Retrieved 11 December 2021 – via Twitter.
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