The Newshound

Britain could face freezing Arctic air in November, months earlier than expected, if El Nino weakens the polar vortex

A social-media post warning that the polar vortex has "resurrected," as forecasters now say winds could collapse to just 4.15 m/s by November 3, weeks earlier than predicted.
A social-media post warning that the polar vortex has "resurrected," as forecasters now say winds could collapse to just 4.15 m/s by November 3, weeks earlier than predicted.

NASA forecasting data shows polar vortex wind strength is set to plummet from 12.04 m/s on October 31 to just 4.15 m/s by November 3, a collapse that could send Arctic air surging south into Britain. That represents a dramatic shift from earlier predictions placing any disruption around January 2027. Forecasters warn the trigger would be a sudden stratospheric warming event, which can actually reverse the direction of winds within the vortex.

When the polar vortex falters, the jet stream 'snakes', building blocking high pressure over the North Atlantic and Scandinavia — bringing Britain dry, bitter cold.

The 2018 'Beast from the East' followed exactly this pattern, with cold easterly winds and heavy snow on the boundary between freezing northern and milder southern Europe.

Forecasters caution they can only reliably predict sudden stratospheric warming events about a week in advance, and effects at ground level are not guaranteed.

MoreGB NewsUK weather: Freezing temperatures could sweep Britain next month as El Nino continues to wreak havoc worldwideThe IndependentPolar vortex winds could plunge in November– what it means for the UKMeteored UKWhat is the polar vortex and could it bring winter to the UK next week? What the latest forecast says
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