A peculiar climate phenomenon has “obliterated the polar vortex” and means much more snow may very well be on its approach in March.
Widespread snow began falling within the UK yesterday (Thursday, February 8) with as a lot as 20cm settling in some elements of the nation.
However, this week’s bout of snow – which has led to Met Office climate warnings, in place till as late as Saturday (February 10) – may very well be dwarfed by a second, ranging from subsequent week and lasting into subsequent month.
READ MORE: UK snow storm ‘will final till Monday’ as climate maps present ‘70% chance’
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(Image: PA)
Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden mentioned sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) is below approach, probably “bringing more meaningful cold/snow from later next week/March”.
SSW happens when temperatures within the stratosphere improve and chilly air descends quickly within the polar vortex. This in flip may cause modifications within the jet stream and tends to convey chilly snaps. Changes within the jet stream also can create what are referred to as areas of blocking stress, which maintain chilly circumstances in situ over the UK for extended durations. This course of is what led to the notorious ‘Beast from the East’ in 2018.
(Image: PA)
Madden hinted that one other Beast from the East may very well be on the way in which. He mentioned: “To date we haven’t really seen a sustained easterly developing this winter and the approach has been more from the north during the cold and snowy periods. In essence, the cold just hasn’t been able to dig in deep enough from these to bring in parts farther south for snow.
“However, this specific sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) is basically going for it this time round by way of obliterating the polar vortex and virtually each output and situation reviewed for afterwards, locations us in a robust blocking sample over some sustained durations from late February and in March/early April.
(Image: PA)
“It wouldn’t be out of the question to see the coldest parts of England reaching as low as -10C or a little colder in the coldest spells of weather over the next four to six weeks.. there is absolutely no reason why we won’t see similar or worse conditions developing in what is only late February and March.”
Madden added March is more likely to be a lot colder than common, with “widespread snow” doable for “all parts of the country”.
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