Violent Sting Jet Triggers Red Wind Warning for Devon and Cornwall as 80–100+ MPH Gusts Threaten Southwest England

SOUTHWEST ENGLAND — An extremely dangerous wind event is unfolding across Devon and Cornwall as a rare and violent sting jet moves ashore, prompting the UK Met Office to issue a Red Warning for Wind — its highest alert level.

Forecast data and satellite analysis indicate wind gusts of 80 to over 100 mph, posing a serious risk to life and property, particularly across exposed coastal and elevated locations.

Communities at Immediate Risk Across Devon and Cornwall

The sting jet is expected to impact a broad swath of southwest England, including:

St Just
Penzance
St Ives
Terranporth
Truro
Newquay
St Austell
Bodmin
Patsdow
Looe
Liskeard

Residents in these areas are urged to seek shelter immediately, remain indoors, and stay well away from windows and doors.

Sudden Onset, Short but Extreme Duration

Unlike typical windstorms, sting jets strike suddenly and with little warning.

Key characteristics of this event:

Winds may rapidly intensify within minutes
Peak impacts may last 60 to 120 minutes
Strongest gusts often occur as skies briefly clear
Tree damage, power outages, and structural damage are likely

People should avoid travel, stay clear of trees, and do not attempt to watch or record the storm outdoors.

Why This Storm Is So Dangerous: What Is a Sting Jet?

A sting jet is a narrow but ferocious corridor of descending air that forms within the comma-shaped head of a powerful low-pressure system.

Here’s what happens:

Strong winds aloft are dragged downward into a dry slot within the storm
Moisture evaporates, making the air denser
The air rapidly sinks, dragging extreme winds to the surface

In this case, the storm has undergone explosive strengthening at nearly twice the rate required for “bombogenesis,” dramatically increasing the sting jet’s intensity.

Historical Context: A Rare and Proven Threat

Sting jets were not formally identified until the Great Storm of 1987, which devastated parts of the UK and France.

During that storm:

Shoreham-by-Sea (England) recorded a 120-mph gust
Granville, Normandy (France) recorded 137-mph winds
The primary cause was later confirmed to be a sting jet

Meteorologists estimate that only 39–49% of the strongest Atlantic cyclones produce sting jets, making this a rare but exceptionally dangerous phenomenon.

What Residents Must Do Right Now

Authorities strongly advise:

Remain indoors immediately
Stay away from windows and external walls
Avoid wooded areas and coastal cliffs
Prepare for power outages
Follow official emergency instructions

This is not a storm to underestimate — conditions can deteriorate faster than many people expect.

Bottom Line

A life-threatening sting jet is impacting Devon and Cornwall, with 80–100+ mph wind gusts possible under a Red Wind Warning. These winds can cause widespread damage in a very short time.

WaldronNews.com will continue monitoring this dangerous situation and provide updates as conditions evolve. Stay sheltered and stay safe.