Remember 2018’s Beast from the East? From February to March, the UK was gripped by weeks of bitterly freezing temperatures brought over by winds from Siberia. Temperatures dived as low as -14C, red snow warnings were issued, schools were closed, electricity cut out and public transport stopped running. We haven’t had a winter quite that dramatic since, but next month could give it a run for its money.
The Met Office has warned that a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event could be coming for the UK. That’s the same phenomenon that caused the brutal Beast from the East seven years ago. It’s when the Earth’s stratosphere rapidly warms up to about 50C, which can cause a knock-on effect on the jet stream in which temperatures plummet. It increases the likelihood of a cold snap in the UK up to two weeks later by 70 percent.
Aidan McGiver, a Met Office meteorologist said in a YouTube video last Tuesday that that signs of a SSW were ‘looking likely’ for this week, but that it doesn’t always result in extreme weather conditions.
Looking ahead, the Met Office said: ‘From the clash of Arctic and North African air masses to the impacts of heavy rain, flooding, and significant snow, the country is experiencing a wide range of conditions.
‘Regional differences are stark, with some areas facing substantial snow while others enjoy sunny skies and frosty nights. The outlook remains uncertain, with the potential for further cold spells and unsettled weather as the season progresses.’
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