page_title: 2017–18 European windstorm season
section_title: Storm Emma
hierarchical_section_title: 2017–18 European windstorm season / Storms / Storm Emma
caption_attribution_description: English: Large blizzard Emma on 26 January over the Azores while nearing Portugal
context_page_description: The 2017–18 European windstorm season was the third instance of seasonal European windstorm naming. France, Spain and Portugal took part in winter storm naming for the first time this season.
  The season started on 12 September 2017 with the formation of Storm Aileen. It was subsequently marked by many high-impact storms which caused severe loss of life and widespread damage, including Ophelia, Eleanor, David and Emma. The season concluded on 17 June 2018 with the dissipation of off-season Storm Hector.
context_section_description: Storm Emma (also named Ulrike) was named while it was centred over the Azores and threatened to strike Western Europe as a blizzard. The cyclone affected Iberia,
  Great Britain and Ireland on its track, causing high winds and snowfall, leading to blizzard conditions.
  As Emma neared southwest England, it brought new cold air to the UK and Ireland, prolonging the cold period. Meteorologists observed the collision of Emma and the Beast from the East and the interaction of the two highly different air masses worsened the wind and snowfall posed by Emma. Starting on 1 March 2018, the collision of Emma and Hartmut triggered numerous hurricane-force gusts in southern Europe and the United Kingdom. The highest of these gusts occurred in the morning of 1 March on Mount Aigoual in southern France at 228 km/h (142 mph).
  On 1 March 2018, UK authorities issued a red warning in Wales and south-west England as citizens in Scotland spent up to 20 hours in their cars stuck in traffic in frigid weather and a 46-year-old Southampton man died in a motor vehicle accident on the A34. Schools across the UK were closed in the face of oncoming blizzards, strong winds, and heavy snowfall. Traffic was significantly hindered by the Beast from the East. In Lincolnshire commuters near Boston were stranded by snow and had to freed by farmers with tractors, a minimum of 20 cars and HGVs were snowed in on the A46 close to Faldingworth. The Royal Air Force deployed 4×4 vehicles to transport health and emergency workers. Trains were cancelled across the UK, with over 20 rail operators running at reduced capacity; London's Paddington Station closed for about three hours and 50 stations in Kent closed because of inclement weather. Air travel has been similarly curtailed, as terminals all over the country cancel flights. 
  At least three people died in the UK as a result of the storm.
  In Ireland snow began to fall in the east of the country on Tuesday 27 February. Snow continued in the east on Wednesday the 28th, with well over 15 cm (5.9 in) reported in many areas. Schools closed on Wednesday the 28th in affected areas. Panic buying of food was seen as Storm Emma approached. Emma made landfall on the south coast on Thursday 1 March and swept northward. All schools were closed on Thursday 1 March and Friday the 2nd nationwide with a red weather warning put in place by Met Eireann. High winds and heavy snowfall on top of the already lying snow led to drifting and severe disruption. Many roads were left impassable, particularly in rural areas and in North Kildare, West Wicklow and Wexford respectively. Power outages and water cuts were reported widely. A Lidl supermarket was torn down and looted in Fortunestown, Tallaght during the chaos caused by the storm. Over 50 cm (20 in) of lying snow was reported in some locations, with drifts many feet high on many rural routes. Some rural villages were cut off for many days. A slow thaw ensued. Many schools remained closed in Kildare, Wicklow and Wexford on Monday 5 March as local authorities continued to attempt to clear roads.
caption: Emma, an extensive cyclone and potential blizzard, on 26 February while being centred near the Azores and threatening Portugal
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