02-20-2018 , 08:29 AM
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-...ic-warming UK faces POLAR VORTEX: Cold snap to freeze Britain PICTURED as maps show -16C plunge
BRITAIN is about to enter a deep freeze caused by a rare weather phenomenon forecast to send temperatures into free-fall this week. A blast of freezing Siberian air is being blown towards the UK by an unusual weather event over the North Pole dubbed Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW).
The Met Office has confirmed the onset of SSW, which pushes freezing air towards the UK thanks to surging temperatures in stratosphere over the North Pole.
The process causes the polar vortex – a mass of cold air in the upper atmosphere – to split, giving rise to brutally cold conditions in Britain, Europe and the US.
Forecasters believe the cold snap caused by SSW could freeze the UK for weeks with sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow well into March.
A barrage of snow and lows of -22C were recorded when SSW occurred ahead of the cold snap of December 2010.
uk weather forecastGETTY
BIG CHILL: Temperatures could dip as low as -16C in parts of the country by Sunday
Britain battles the BIG FREEZE: Snowfalls and ice as UK braves -11C
Heavy snow has blanketed Britain as temperatures drop to –11C. The UK has been issued with a MET Office weather warning.
Lorries are parked on the A66 during a blizzard in Durham A snow plough clerks the A68 near Lauder in the Scottish Border Lauder in the Scottish Borders seen covered in snow Max the one-year-old German Shepherd playing in the snow near Lauder in the Scottish Borders Lorries are parked on the A66 during a blizzard in Durham A snow plough passes through heavy snow on the A66 in Durham Lauder in the Scottish Borders on Tuesday 6 February
The phenomenon last happened in 2013, when a big chill gripped the UK throughout March and into April.
Aidan McGivern, spokesperson for the Met Office, said: “The sudden stratospheric warming means that the weather conditions are somewhat unknown, but it is likely going to get much colder.”
Conditions improved over the weekend with spells of sunshine, clear skies and highs of 13C providing welcome respite from the cold.
Milder, more settled conditions will continue in the coming days with a chance of rain in Northern Ireland and northern England.
uk temperature chartWETTERZENTRALE
FREEZING: Bitter air from the east is drifting towards the UK
BRITAIN is about to enter a deep freeze caused by a rare weather phenomenon forecast to send temperatures into free-fall this week. A blast of freezing Siberian air is being blown towards the UK by an unusual weather event over the North Pole dubbed Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW).
The Met Office has confirmed the onset of SSW, which pushes freezing air towards the UK thanks to surging temperatures in stratosphere over the North Pole.
The process causes the polar vortex – a mass of cold air in the upper atmosphere – to split, giving rise to brutally cold conditions in Britain, Europe and the US.
Forecasters believe the cold snap caused by SSW could freeze the UK for weeks with sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow well into March.
A barrage of snow and lows of -22C were recorded when SSW occurred ahead of the cold snap of December 2010.
uk weather forecastGETTY
BIG CHILL: Temperatures could dip as low as -16C in parts of the country by Sunday
Britain battles the BIG FREEZE: Snowfalls and ice as UK braves -11C
Heavy snow has blanketed Britain as temperatures drop to –11C. The UK has been issued with a MET Office weather warning.
Lorries are parked on the A66 during a blizzard in Durham A snow plough clerks the A68 near Lauder in the Scottish Border Lauder in the Scottish Borders seen covered in snow Max the one-year-old German Shepherd playing in the snow near Lauder in the Scottish Borders Lorries are parked on the A66 during a blizzard in Durham A snow plough passes through heavy snow on the A66 in Durham Lauder in the Scottish Borders on Tuesday 6 February
The phenomenon last happened in 2013, when a big chill gripped the UK throughout March and into April.
Aidan McGivern, spokesperson for the Met Office, said: “The sudden stratospheric warming means that the weather conditions are somewhat unknown, but it is likely going to get much colder.”
Conditions improved over the weekend with spells of sunshine, clear skies and highs of 13C providing welcome respite from the cold.
Milder, more settled conditions will continue in the coming days with a chance of rain in Northern Ireland and northern England.
uk temperature chartWETTERZENTRALE
FREEZING: Bitter air from the east is drifting towards the UK