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Storm Barra

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

Storm Barrawas a hurricane-forceextratropicalbomb cyclonein the North Atlantic Ocean that impactedIrelandand theUnited Kingdomwith 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) inSherkin 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

[edit]

An extratropical cyclone nearGreenlandcontributed to the predecessor of Barra.[3]On 5 December 2021, a circulation formed over the northernAtlantic Ocean,from a surface low. TheFree University of Berlin(FUB) named it "Harry" with a pressure of 1,010 hectopascals (30 inHg).[4]On the same day,Met Éireannnamed this developing system "Barra", as it was forecasted to bring strong gusts to Ireland.[5]The storm began to move northwestwards, and started torapidly intensifywhilst 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 StatesOcean Prediction Centeranalysed an even lower pressure of 956 hPa (28.2 inHg) on the system.[1]Nevertheless, the storm moved over theIrish Seaand again over mainlandUnited Kingdom.[8]At one occasion, Barra's eye moved overUlster.[9]On 8 December, Barra rapidly weakened as it entered theNorth Seabefore 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 theBBC Northern Irelandweatherman Barra Best.[12][13]

Preparations and impacts

[edit]

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

Ireland

[edit]

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 withMet Éireannissuing red warnings to countiesCork,ClareandKerry.[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 inMallowandFermoy.TheHSEsuspended hospital and other essential services,[22]and traffic was disrupted.[23][24]Several flight operations fromAer Linguswere 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 atSherkin 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]TheFastnet Lighthouserevealed 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 overCork,along with trees being fallen.[32]TheRiver Leeoverflowed 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. TheM8 Dublin–Cork motorwayalso 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

[edit]

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]ScotlandandEnglandwere 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.Derryalso 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 inScotland,train operations from the region and down toEnglandwere halted. Several trees also led train operators to cancel their services.[52]Snow conditions were also documented inA82 roadand overSouth Lanarkshire.[48][51]GwyneddofWalesgot 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 theMet Office,except for Gwynedd that recorded its highest wind gust from the system for 8 December,County Downin Northern Ireland reported 34 m/s (76 mph) and Pembrey Sands atDyfedcollected 33 m/s (73 mph).[53]80 year-old Venetia Smith drowned on 7 December in theRiver StourinDorsetafter falling off a road bridge during the storm.[54]ADorset Counciloffice building inDorchesterwas damaged and closed for a number of days.[55]A commercial plane inManchesteralso had problems in landing, but made it successfully.Exmouthalso saw large waves from Barra.[56]

France

[edit]

In France, the cold front associated with the storm gave heavy rains in theLandes,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

[edit]

InNavarre,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 inVillava – Atarrabiaalso reached above their homes, forcing 20 people to leave their houses. 60–70 individuals also lost power in the city.[61]TheArga Riveralso 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 Remírezalso 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,Zubietaalso saw major inundation problems.[63]Deba RiverinBasque Countryalso broke its banks, affecting a hospital in a town while flooding warnings were issued inAragonandCantabria.Two more streams inBurgos' north also overflowed, impacting and cancelling school classes in two areas. Several rescues are also conducted in the county.[64][61]

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

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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  61. ^ab"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.Archivedfrom the original on 11 December 2021.Retrieved11 December2021.
  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.Archivedfrom the original on 11 December 2021.Retrieved11 December2021.
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  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.Retrieved11 December2021.
  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).Retrieved11 December2021– viaTwitter.
  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).Retrieved11 December2021– viaTwitter.
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