Britons are bracing for significant snowfall this week with forecasts indicating a prolonged spell of cold weather reminiscent of the 2018 ‘Beast from the East’ phenomenon.
The Met Office has issued multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice, set to persist from today through Thursday. In addition, an amber snow warning has been issued for Thursday in parts of Yorkshire and the North East, where up to 25cm (10 inches) of snow could accumulate in certain areas.
Further wintry disruptions may be on the horizon as meteorologists anticipate the occurrence of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW), the same weather event that triggered the notorious ‘Beast from the East’ snowstorm in 2018.
SSW, contrary to its name, can usher in subzero temperatures and Arctic-like conditions in the UK. During the cold snap of 2018, some regions experienced up to 20 inches of snowfall.
Stephen Dixon, a spokesperson for the Met Office, highlighted that signs suggest SSW could occur towards the end of November, marking an unusually early onset. This early occurrence raises the likelihood of a cold start to winter compared to previous years.
According to Netweather forecaster Nick Finnis, SSW might manifest around November 25 and 26 due to a significant warming in the stratosphere originating from the Canadian polar region. This warming could displace the stratospheric polar vortex towards northern Russia and north-east Europe.
While similarities to the 2018 conditions are not projected, Dixon cautioned that it’s premature to determine the precise impacts of this year’s SSW on the UK.
Finnis noted a potential rise in the chances of colder and wintry conditions towards the end of November and into December if the SSW event materializes, but emphasized that such outcomes are not guaranteed.
The Met Office explains that SSW refers to a swift warming in the stratosphere, between 10km and 50km above the Earth’s surface, caused by changes in the polar vortex. This warming can lead to the descent of cold air, influencing the jet stream and possibly creating a blocking pattern that prolongs snowfall and cold weather conditions.
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