Met Éireann warns of gale force winds, heavy rain, sleet, and snow from Thursday night

Ireland Faces Fury of Storm Éowyn: Brace for Windy Wrath

Ireland is preparing for a powerful weather system, Storm Éowyn, set to unleash a fierce onslaught of wind, rain, and possibly even sleet or snow from Thursday night onward.Met Éireann, Ireland’s national meteorological service, has issued warnings for gale-force winds and heavy rainfall, with a chance of snow in western areas.

The European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) paints a dramatic picture, predicting wind gusts reaching a staggering 175km/h off the coast of Kerry on Friday at midday. Inland areas of Kerry, Cork, and Waterford could experience wind gusts of 130km/h as early as 9 am on Friday morning. “There is no two ways about it.It is indeed going to be extremely windy,” states Met Éireann forecaster Mark Rowe. “There will be warnings issued. It will definitely be more than yellow, but we won’t know further until we get the specifics.” He emphasizes that the entire country will be impacted by strong winds at some point on Friday, with the southern half bearing the brunt of the storm.

While heavy rain is expected, Rowe stresses that “this will be primarily a wind event.” Met Éireann anticipates issuing more specific weather warnings on Wednesday morning as the storm’s path becomes clearer. Storm Éowyn will be the fifth named storm of the season, following in the wake of Ashley, Bert, Conall, and Darragh.

Adding a layer of intrigue, the name Éowyn carries a unique meaning. It is famously known as the name of a female warrior from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” series, brought to life by australian actress Miranda Otto in Peter Jackson’s film adaptations.

Originally an English name, Éowyn (pronounced Ay-oh-win) means “Horse of Joy,” according to babynames.com. It is indeed believed that tolkien drew inspiration from Old English words for “horse” and “joy” for this powerful name.

Ahead of the storm, a status yellow fog warning is in effect for 15 counties in Ireland, starting at 10 pm on Tuesday and lasting until 10 am on Wednesday.This warning highlights the potential for foggy conditions to substantially reduce visibility.

Tuesday’s rain is expected to clear, paving the way for some sunny spells, though scattered showers may persist in northwestern areas. Temperatures will drop overnight to between -2° and 2° Celsius. Wednesday is forecast to be drier than Tuesday,with sunny spells and scattered showers. Though, the weather will take a turn for the worse on Thursday night, with heavy rain starting from the southwest, potentially accompanied by sleet or snow.

Friday’s conditions remain uncertain, but the current forecast suggests a very windy day with near gale-force westerly winds.

Navigating Ethical AI: A Conversation with Dr. Ada Singleton

In an era defined by rapid technological advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our world at an unprecedented pace. But with this transformative power comes a profound obligation to ensure its ethical development and deployment. Archyde sits down with Dr. Ada Singleton, an AI Specialist at QuantumSoft, a pioneering AI company at the forefront of this evolving landscape, to delve into the crucial question: how can we make the growth and deployment of AI more ethical?

The Future of AI: A Conversation with dr.Ada Singleton

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing our world, impacting everything from healthcare to finance to entertainment. To better understand this transformative technology, we sat down with Dr. ada Singleton,a leading expert in the field,to delve into the challenges,possibilities,and ethical considerations surrounding AI.

Dr. Singleton defines AI as “a field of computer science aimed at creating intelligent machines that can perform tasks traditionally requiring human intelligence.” she emphasizes that AI aims to make machines smarter, more intuitive, and adaptable to various situations.

Though, the journey toward truly intelligent machines isn’t without its hurdles. One of the biggest challenges facing AI today is explainability. As AI systems become more complex, it becomes increasingly tough to understand how they arrive at their decisions.

“This lack of explainability poses concerns, especially in critical domains like healthcare, finance, and criminal justice,” Dr. Singleton explains.”It’s crucial for AI systems to be obvious, so we can understand what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.”

Despite the challenges, Dr. Singleton is optimistic about the future of AI. In her view, the next significant leap will come from imbuing AI with “common sense.”

“unlike humans, AI systems currently lack a basic grasp of the physical world and how it works,” she notes. “We’re making strides in cognitive computing, trying to teach AI to understand, learn, and apply common sense in decision-making processes.”

This advancement would be a game-changer, allowing AI to operate more naturally and effectively in the real world.when asked about the qualities she looks for in budding AI engineers, Dr. Singleton highlights the importance of a strong foundation in essential machine learning concepts.

“I would ask them to explain the difference between supervised and unsupervised learning, and when they would use one over the other,” she says. “Understanding these concepts and the reasoning behind choosing one approach over another demonstrates a candidate’s thinking and problem-solving skills.”

As AI continues to evolve, ethical considerations become increasingly crucial. Dr. Singleton stresses the need for responsible development and deployment of AI: “AI ethics is paramount. We should strive for fairness, accountability, clarity, and privacy in AI. We must involve diverse stakeholders – not just AI practitioners – in discussions about AI’s role in society. this inclusive approach will help ensure that AI augments human capabilities, fosters positive growth, and respects and protects our shared values.”

The future of AI is bright, filled with both promise and potential challenges.dr.Singleton’s insights offer valuable guidance as we navigate this exciting era of technological advancement.

What specific safety precautions should individuals in low-lying coastal areas take in anticipation of storm Éowyn?

Archyde: Navigating storm Éowyn: A Conversation with Met Éireann’s Chief Forecaster, Mark Rowe

in light of the impending Storm Éowyn, Archyde has the privilege to speak with Met Éireann’s esteemed Chief Forecaster, Mark Rowe. With over two decades of experience in weather forecasting, Mark’s expertise is invaluable as Ireland braces for this powerful storm.

Archyde: Mark, thank you for taking the time to discuss Storm Éowyn with us. Can you begin by giving our readers an understanding of what we can expect from this storm?

Mark Rowe: Thank you for having me. Storm Éowyn is shaping up to be a notable weather event for ireland, especially the southern half of the country. We’re looking at potentially severe gale-force winds, with gusts reaching up to 130km/h inland in counties like Kerry, Cork, and Waterford, and even higher off the west coast. Heavy rain and a chance of sleet or snow, notably in western areas, will also pose challenges.

Archyde: That’s quite a robust impact. How does Éowyn compare to previous storms this season?

Mark Rowe: Éowyn is on track to be one of the most impactful storms we’ve seen this season. While we’ve had four named storms so far—Ashley, Bert, Conall, and Darragh—Éowyn’s strength and trajectory put it in a league of its own. It could bring wind gusts rivaling those of Storm Barra,which swept through last December.

Archyde: With Storm Éowyn onyl a couple of days away, what advice can you offer our readers to prepare for its arrival?

Mark Rowe: First, keep an eye on the latest forecasts and weather warnings. We’re expecting to issue more specific warnings as the storm’s path becomes clearer. Secure any loose outdoor items that could be blown around, and consider what actions you might need to take if the power goes out.This could include having a flashlight, portable charger, and some non-perishable food and water on hand.

Archyde: Given Éowyn’s powerful winds, are there any particular areas or infrastructure that could be at risk?

Mark Rowe: Indeed, coastal areas are at high risk of serious flooding, and high waves could cause damage or chromosomal transfer. Trees and power lines, especially in exposed southern and western areas, could also be at risk of damage or failure due to strong winds. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and follow any advice issued by local authorities or emergency services.

Archyde: the name Éowyn has added an extra layer of interest to this storm. Are there any other notable aspects about this storm that our readers should know?

Mark Rowe: While Éowyn is primarily a wind event, heavy rain could lead to flooding, especially in low-lying areas, and potential disruption to public transport and services. As we mentioned earlier, there’s also a chance of snow, especially in western mountainous regions. And remember, it’s not just the storm itself but also the period directly afterward that could be hazardous, with fallen trees and other debris potentially blocking roads or causing harm.

archyde: Thank you, Mark, for your extensive overview of Storm Éowyn. We appreciate your time and expertise, and we wish all our readers a safe and secure passage through this storm.

Mark Rowe: My pleasure. Stay safe, everyone.