Storm Éowyn is about to hit the U.K. and Ireland as forecasters warn the explosive "bomb cyclone" will bring snow, rain and potentially deadly superfast winds.

An enormous bomb cyclone will slam Ireland late Thursday, bringing intense rain and wind on its way to delivering a separate blow to the United Kingdom. Damaging winds are expected across a wide swath of the region.

Ireland is preparing for extreme weather conditions Thursday afternoon and evening. Storm Éowyn is a so-called bomb cyclone and will possibly break European storm records. And its passage over Ireland could bring wind gusts of up to 200 kilometers per hour.

Micheál Martin became Ireland’s taoiseach (prime minister) for the second time in his political career on Thursday, a day later than planned.