The effects of a major sudden stratospheric warming that took place over the North Pole earlier this month are starting to appear in weather models with suggestions the UK faces "much colder weather" in two weeks time. A leading meteorologist has said that models are "hinting" that it will bring colder weather on the week beginning March 6.
It was revealed early in February that Sudden Stratospheric Warming was taking place high up in the atmosphere up to 50km above earth. The weather condition makes the jet stream "meander" more which in turn can lead to a large area of blocking high pressure over northern Europe.
A previous sudden stratospheric warming that lead to the so-called Beast from the East that hit the UK at the start of March 2018, but forecasters initially said it was too early to say what the effect will be this year. A similar warming in 2019 didn't bring the same snow.
Chris Fawkes, who presents weather reports on BBC, has now said that the effects of the SSW are starting to become apparent. He said on Tuesday (February 21): "The effects of the Sudden Stratospheric Warming continue to work down through the atmosphere. Models are starting to hint much colder weather from week beginning 6th March with high pressure retrogressing allowing cold north winds with snow possibilities."
The chart he shared:
The Met Office UK long range forecast for Tuesday, March 7 to Tuesday, March 21, says: "High pressure is expected to dominate at the start of the period, with any more unsettled weather most likely across the far north and northwest. However, low pressure could develop to the south of the UK by the middle of the month, bringing more widespread changeable conditions.
"Temperatures expected to be generally around average to begin, with the risk of colder nights throughout the period. There is an increasing chance of some colder than average conditions developing as the month progresses, although confidence remains low."
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