Rare Weather Phenomenon That Led to ‘beast from the East’ Returning to UK This Winter After Arctic Freeze

The Return of the ‘Beast from the East’

The UK is bracing for another cold snap as meteorologists warn that a rare weather phenomenon could bring Arctic air back to the country. The Met Office has announced that “winter has arrived early across the UK,” marking a significant shift in the typical autumnal conditions.

Sudden Stratospheric Warming and Its Impact

A sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event, much like the one responsible for the brutal ‘Beast from the East’ in 2018, is on the horizon. This weather phenomenon involves a rapid increase in temperature in the stratosphere above the North Pole, often leading to a reversal of the polar vortex winds and the descent of cold air into lower latitudes.

The Met Office reports that this SSW event increases the likelihood of colder weather in the UK by roughly 70% over the next two weeks. While not guaranteed, meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the potential for significant implications on the country’s weather patterns.

Current Weather Conditions and Forecasts

This week has seen temperatures drop well below average across the country, with wind chill making it feel even colder. The Met Office recorded a low of -11.7°C at Loch Glascarnoch on Thursday night, marking the coldest night of the season so far.

According to the latest forecast:

• Saturday: Cloudy, wet and windy weather will move east across England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be brighter with sunshine and showers, and brighter skies will reach the north and west of England and Wales later.

  Temperatures nearer normal.

• Sunday: Wind and rain in the west moving north and east, becoming slow moving across Northern Ireland, northern England, and southern Scotland. Brighter, showery in the far north, and increasingly south.

The Met Office also warned of “feels like” temperatures widely at minus one or minus two degrees due to the wind chill factor. With school closures across parts of the country and ice and snow warnings issued for some regions, UK residents are being advised to prepare for more unsettled weather as winter sets in.

Past Experiences with Cold Snaps

Remembering the ‘Beast from the East’ of 2018, when temperatures plummeted across the country and heavy snowfall hit Great Britain and Ireland, the UK is not unfamiliar with such severe cold snaps. In that year, lows of -14.7°C were recorded in Faversham, Kent, and Storm Emma brought 50 cm of snow to some elevated areas.

The recent arctic air mass has already brought snow to parts of the UK this week, leading to yellow and amber ice and snow weather warnings issued by the Met Office. Schools have been forced to close temporarily in response to these conditions, highlighting the impact such severe weather can have on everyday life.

Conclusion

The UK could be facing another cold snap as a sudden stratospheric warming event looms over the horizon. While not guaranteed, meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation and advising UK residents to prepare for colder than average conditions in the coming weeks. The ‘Beast from the East’ serves as a stark reminder of how quickly weather patterns can change, and the potential impacts such changes can have on daily life.

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