Eowyn: How Did Met Office Storm Get Lord of the Rings Name

Scotland: The Met Office has just named the first storm of the season, and it’s called Storm Eowyn. Winds could hit up to 80mph, so it’s going to be a wild ride.

This storm is the fifth one named this season, and if you’re a fan of JRR Tolkien, you might recognize the name. The Met Office has already issued two yellow weather warnings for wind, starting from midnight on Friday.

With Storm Eowyn rolling in, expect some serious travel disruptions and a risk to life from flying debris. Since the Met Office kicked off its ‘Name our Storms’ initiative back in 2015, they’ve been curating a fresh list of names each season.

This list runs from early September to late August, matching the autumn season. The names come from various sources, and different weather services collaborate to create it.

Eowyn got her name after a public event in the Netherlands where folks could suggest names. While the Met Office says that wasn’t the main reason for the name, Tolkien fans will definitely appreciate the connection.

In Tolkien’s epic LOTR series, Eowyn is a brave noblewoman from Rohan, known for her fierce spirit. She’s a shieldmaiden who rides into battle and takes down the Witch-King of Angmar.

Interestingly, Eowyn isn’t the first storm to share a name with a Tolkien character. Storm Arwen hit the UK back in November 2021. Arwen is an Elvish princess in the LOTR trilogy, famously portrayed by Liv Tyler in the movies.

So, as Storm Eowyn approaches, let’s hope everyone stays safe and maybe even finds a bit of joy in the Tolkien connection.