Ten things to know about storms!

Teagasc examines science of Storm Eowyn in RTE series

Recent storms have caused unprecedented damage across the country and, as our climate continues to warm, they are going to become even more frequent and extreme. On tonight’s episode, Monday 24th November, of the television series 10 Things to Know About…, on RTÉ One television, we examine the science of 2025’s Storm Éowyn, and head to the west coast to meet researchers who tracked and forecast the storm’s arrival, monitored the impacts of the highest windspeeds ever recorded in Ireland, and who are analysing data and running models to investigate what could happen and how we need to prepare for when the next Éowyn hits in a warming world. Teagasc staff appear on this episode discussing the impact of storm damage on Irish forestry.

Dr Niall Farrelly, Senior Forestry Research Officer with Teagasc, explains: “Data suggests that Irish forests experience significant storm damage once every 10 to 15 years. The adoption of measures that promote tree anchorage, including adequate soil preparation, tree spacing, and maintenance of our forests are essential to increase resilience to storms. Practices should be considered that allow trees and forests to adapt in place to windier conditions."

Severe storms cause widespread forest destruction, and the impacts are devastating with thousands of hectares felled, massive economic losses for forest owners, ecological damage, and immense emotional toll on thousands of people whose lives are turned upside down. In this episode of 10 Things to Know About…,, we meet the people who experienced the catastrophic impacts of Storm Éowyn and the researchers who are striving to ensure Ireland is better prepared, and our forests are more resilient, in the face of storms in the future.

John Casey, Teagasc Forestry Advisor comments: “Storm Éowyn caused unprecedented damage across Ireland, but Teagasc, in conjunction with the national Windblow Taskforce are actively helping owners optimise value and plan and replant for future resilience. Through appropriate research, advisory support clinics, tailored events, ongoing media engagements and national coordination, Teagasc and taskforce stakeholders are working to ensure that forest owners are supported practically, and we are all striving to learn from recent challenges and build stronger, more sustainable forests for the future generations”.

Also in this episode, we hear about how although our weather systems generally arrive from the Atlantic, the east coast is far from immune to the impacts of storms. In South Dublin Bay, nature has built an unexpected line of defence; wide, shallow waters, a sand spit and dunes that strip away some of wave energy of storms and protect the coast from the fury of the sea. We meet the researchers using the latest technology to monitor changes in these natural storm buffers and discuss how better planning and climate adaptation measures can help protect them and allow nature to do her job.

And in the ‘Curious Chronicles’ segment of this episode, presenter Fergus McAuliffe takes to the waves to investigate the storm that is widely believed to have inspired one of the world’s most famous plays.

10 Things to Know About… Storms, Monday, 24th November 2025 at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.