The Met Office has shed light on the rare weather phenomenon responsible for whipping up 114mph winds off Ireland's west coast as Storm Éowyn bore down on the UK. The agency revealed that satellite imagery indicated the development of a sting jet early on Friday,

Storm Eowyn was caused by a band of strong winds at the top of the atmosphere called the jet stream, which is what has contributed to its ‘rapidly intensifying’ winds. The stream blows from west to east, directing storms across the Atlantic to the UK.

The dangerous weather phenomenon is believed to have developed at about 5am on Friday, the Met Office said, resulting in record wind speeds of 114mph.

They say: "A sting jet is a small area of very intense winds (often 100mph or more) that can sometimes form in powerful weather systems crossing the UK. Relative to the size of the storm, the sting jet is narrow, often 30 miles across, and only lasts three to four hours.

Storm Éowyn was distinguished by its unprecedented power. As predicted accurately by weather forecasters, it was one of the most powerful storms to have ever hit Ireland. Fortunately, most of the worst winds were during the night-time and there were no fatalities.

Storm Eowyn is sending blistering winds through the UK, including the 'fastest since records began' of 114 mph measured in Ireland according to forecaster Met Eireann