A freezing weather phenomenon has been predicted to take place over the coming days across the UK, and it has been compared to the monster 'Beast from the East' in 2018.
A 'major sudden stratospheric warning' (SSW) event has been deemed as "now likely" according to forecasters, reports temperatures . This could see the return of snow, sleet and sub-zero stratospheric weather eventbefore the beginning of spring.
Weather producer for Sky News, Chris England, has said that "sudden stratospheric warmings can lead to colder conditions over parts of the Northern Hemisphere through their interaction with the jet stream".
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The weather expert also warned that these high pressure systems that are formed by feeding cold air down the north and east are not guaranteed.
According to the Sky News long range forecast for the UK, there is "a low probability of some much colder weather developing."
Read on below to find out more about the sudden stratospheric warning, and what it could mean for Edinburgh.
What is a sudden stratospheric warming event?
A sudden stratospheric warning is a description of an event when "rapid warming occurs high up in the stratosphere", in accordance with the Met Office. This can have severe consequences in our weather down on the surface in the weeks that follow.
The rapid warming in the stratosphere is so high that people don't feel it on the ground - given that it is between around 10km and 50km above the earth's surface.
The event follows a weakening of winds in what's called the stratospheric polar vortex, high over the Arctic.
The Met Office said: "The cold air then descends very rapidly in the polar vortex and this causes the temperature in the stratosphere to rise very rapidly, as much as 50C over only a few days; hence the term sudden stratospheric warming."
This can impact the shape of the jet stream as the cold air heads towards the earth - which can lead to a long spell of dry, cold weather across the UK and northern Europe.
Does it happen every year and will it happen this year?
No the SSW event doesn't occur every year, and even if it does, it doesn't always influence our weather. According to Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the Met Office: "There is now over 80 per cent chance of a major SSW occurring" in 2023.
What could it mean for the UK's weather and when?
As mentioned previously, a SSW event can be linked to freezing temperatures like the Beast from the East in 2018 - but there are no guarantees.
Professor Scaife said: "Although the impact will become clearer nearer the time, any effect on UK weather is most likely to occur in late February and March."
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