The New Year is on the horizon and more freezing cold weather and snow could be on the way as we head into 2024, forecasters have warned.The Met Office has delivered its verdict on another possible 'Beast from the East' hitting the UK, like the one we saw tear through the country back in 2018.This chaotic weather event which brought hugely disruptive snowfall was caused by a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) - and it's feared that these conditions could be repeated as we head into 2024.The Mirror reports that a SSW occurs when stratospheric winds change direction and blow from east to west.
They can also slow down, or stop entirely. This triggers warming in the stratosphere, opening the pathway for easterly winds to move southwards which can weaken the jet stream.
And occasionally, these winds can be accompanied by a cold air mass, causing the temperatures to drop dramatically.The Met Office has said that colder spells in January are likely, but have downplayed any certainty of a SSW as it may be too soon to tell for certain.
They said: "Currently the chance of widespread severe cold is still deemed low, but still the risk of impacts from cold, ice and snow is greater than normal."Speaking to Sky News, Met Office spokesperson Stephen Dixon added: "It's too early to tell if there will be a SSW event at the moment.
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