Storm Arwen brings hurricane-force winds to UK

A major windstorm, dubbed Storm Arwen by the United Kingdom Met Office, left at least 300,000 households in the dark over the weekend as it raked the northern U.K. with winds gusting near 100 mph. Snow plastered parts of the region as an Arctic-chilled air mass surged south behind departing low pressure, which stranded more than five dozen people in a remote pub in northern England for three days.

The storm is over now and a brief warm-up on the way for the U.K., but a reinforcing shot of chilly air is expected as a new low pressure system materializes north of the English Channel on Wednesday.

Leading up to Arwen’s arrival, the U.K. Met Office, their weather service, issued a rare red warning, noting that “flying debris [will result] in danger to life” and anticipating “damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down.”

According to the Daily Mail, it was only the eleventh time a red warning had been issued since a three-tiered alert scale was adopted in 2011. Storm Dennis in February of 2020 prompted a red warning for rainfall in South Wales, where “there was major and widespread flooding.”

On Monday, residents of the United Kingdom were cleaning up following the passage of Arwen, with three people killed by falling trees according to the BBC. Low pressure associated with Arwen intensified on Friday east of Newcastle,

England, with a jet of frigid air and strong winds screaming south and spiraling into the low’s counterclockwise circulation.

That brought winds gusting to 98 mph in Brizlee Wood, Northumberland, 87 mph in Orlock Head, Down and 78 mph in Inverbervie, Kincardineshire.

“Please help us to keep Scotland’s Railway safe during #Stormarwen,” tweeted Network Rail Scotland, who received numerous reports of debris railroad tracks. “If you live near the railway, please make sure any trampolines, gazebos or other garden furniture are tied down. If they blow on to the tracks, they can pose a major hazard to trains, staff and passengers.”

Even after the red warning expired, amber warnings for gusts to 75 mph remained in effect for northeastern England and Scotland until Saturday morning.

“Many roads remain closed so please only travel if absolutely necessary,” wrote the Met Office.

Temperatures fell some 9 to 14 degrees below average in the wake of the system, with temperatures Saturday and Sunday nights in the 20s to lower 30s in most spots. The Met Office had warned of up to 4 to 6 inches of snow in the higher terrain, but some places appear to have overachieved.

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Sixty-one people were stranded for more than 72 hours at the Tan Hill Inn in Yorkshire, England, Britain’s highest pub. They had been watching a show by an Oasis tribute band called “Noasis” when snow, strong winds and downed power lines prevented them from leaving.

The Inn staff endeavored to keep the band and its snowed-in fans warm, well-fed and entertained based on its Facebook page updates.

“[W]e will be having a ‘Best Dressed Snowman competition’,” it wrote early Monday. “Lots of hot chocolate and mulled wine will be dispensed, before we then go onto a Sledging [sledding] competition. Our Chefs have been incredible, and we hope they may bake a few cakes and the like today to sustain the outdoor activities. Some people will Not want to go home.”

Crews had finally cleared the blockages as of Monday afternoon. “We have given a fond farewell to our previously stranded guests,” the pub’s Facebook page declared.