Stratospheric warming event could bring record early UK cold spell

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 16:29 · Archive

A sudden stratospheric warming event expected this week could bring colder weather to the UK by late November, potentially breaking records for timing.

A sudden stratospheric warming event expected to develop this week could bring colder and drier conditions to the UK, with effects potentially felt by late November. The Met Office says if confirmed, it would be the earliest major SSW on record by around three weeks.

Stratospheric warming occurs when temperatures in the stratosphere rise rapidly—by as much as 50°C in just a few days—between 10 km and 50 km above the earth's surface. Although the warming itself happens high above ground, it can disrupt the jet stream and influence weather patterns at ground level. These events do not happen every year and do not always impact surface weather.

Alex Burkill, a presenter at the Met Office, said: 'This looks like it could be a fairly major SSW and it could be the earliest major SSW on record by around three weeks.' He noted the event is somewhat 'new territory', and said El Niño may be driving the earlier onset. The weakening of the polar vortex caused by such events can allow cold air to descend rapidly and distort the jet stream, often forming high pressure over the North Atlantic and Scandinavia.

How it is being reported

• Sudden stratospheric warming event could break recordsA sudden stratospheric warming event could bring colder and drier conditions to the UK.The Press (York) · 4 Nov, 15:36
• Sudden stratospheric warming event could break recordsA sudden stratospheric warming event could bring colder and drier conditions to the UK.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 4 Nov, 15:36

In this story: Met Office · Alex Burkill · UK · Arctic · North Atlantic · Scandinavia

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