Scotland could be hit by rare weather phenomenon as 'polar vortex' brings snow
dailyrecord.co.ukScotland could be hit by another cold snap next month as a rare weather phenomenon threatens to bring snow and ice-cold temperatures.The Met Office warns that a polar vortex, which helped to cause 2018’s Beast from the East and the month-long Big Freeze in December 2010, could occur.
This happens when winds spin around the North Pole and keep cold air trapped in the Arctic.If these winds weaken, there is a chance that the freezing cold trapped air could head towards the UK.And if high-altitude air warms up, even more polar air could be pushed towards the UK in a phenomenon called a 'sudden stratospheric warming' (SSW).It can take around two weeks for the cold air to reach as far as the UK, which has already seen temperatures hit -10C in Scotland this year, reports the Mirror.Met Office forecaster Alex Deakin told the Mirror: "Computer models show an SSW is a possibility."The last time this phenomena occurred, the UK logged its coldest temperature in 26 years as Aberdeenshire dropped to a bone chilling -23C.
However, there is only a 25 percent chance of the polar vortex weakening enough to cause a SSW, according to forecasters.And if it does not occur, the UK could see a return to normality in the coming days, with the worst of the ice and snow having come and gone.It comes as the current cold snap - expected to last until Tuesday - could be followed by warmer temperatures, according to Met Office meteorologist Craig Snell.Mr Snell said: "Next week, looking at the severe front, it’s looking pretty benign."We’re starting to lose the risk of fog and temperatures are generally around where they should be.
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