La Niña

UK set for 2 months of HEAVY SNOW and BLIZZARDS: NOAA issues rare La Nina winter advisory

BRITAIN is facing the most savage winter freeze for half a decade as climate experts warn a La Nina Pacific Ocean cooling could trigger months of heavy snow and blizzards.

By NATHAN RAO

Temperatures plummeted last night as Arctic winds swept the nation amid forecasts freezing conditions will hold out into next spring.

Winter storms will whip up blizzards leaving parts of the country under three feet of snow by Christmas, according to some forecasters.

The warning comes as meteorologists confirm sea temperatures have dropped across the eastern Pacific reaching La Nina thresholds.

La Nina is the positive phase of the El Nino Southern Oscillation – which causes ocean temperatures to rise – and is associated with cold winters in northern Europe.

It will be the first time it has happened since 2010 sparking fears Britain will freeze in the most brutal winter for at least five years.

The US Climate Prediction Centre has issued a rare La Nina advisory warning of below-average sea temperatures into next spring.

Heavy snow cold weather UK

WX Charts

La Nina Pacific Ocean cooling could trigger months of heavy snow

A battleground develops between cold Arctic air and warm tropical air

WX Charts

A battleground develops between cold Arctic air and warm tropical air

For the UK it means this winter will almost certainly be colder than the past four seasons with heavy snow featuring heavily.A US National Weather Service spokesman said: “During October, weak La Niña conditions emerged as reflected by below-average sea surface temperatures across most of the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean.“The consensus of forecasters is for the event to continue through approximately February to April 2018.

“La Niña conditions are predicted to continue [with a 65 to 75 per cent chance] at least through the Northern Hemisphere winter.”

Temperatures will continue to plummet in the run up to the festive period with widespread wintry showers expected over the coming weeks.

Wet weather sweeping in from the Atlantic will clash with freezing air over the UK triggering heavy snowfall, experts warn.

Latest GEFS - many are predicted warm air win out but a cluster show potential for prolonged snow

GW Charts

Latest GEFS – many are predicted warm air win out but a cluster show potential for prolonged snow

The past four years have seen Britain beset by winter storms leading to flood misery for thousands over the Christmas period.Low-pressure systems barrelling in from the west have bumped into unusually mild UK weather sparking heavy and persistent rain.Storms will be a threat again this year although rain will instead turn to snow as temperatures plunge towards the end of the year.

Heavy precipitation from the Atlantic will freeze as it reaches Britain leaving the nation left under a thick blanket of white, experts warn.

A repeat of the 2013 Christmas storms, which has been suggested by some experts, could lead to several feet of snow settling in parts.

A snowplough works to clear snow from the A938 near Carrbridge in Scotland today

REX

A snowplough works to clear snow from the A938 near Carrbridge in Scotland today

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: “We now expect to move into a period of  more severe and prolonged cold.“During these colder periods there will be an increased risk for some large low pressure systems to hit our shores bringing the risk for significant and widespread snow across swathes of the country as they clash with the colder air.“The real risk will come from the snow amounts that we can expect within this period from the extra moisture.

“If we consider precipitation amounts and flooding  during the previously mild winters and replace this with snow, then on average we can expect 10 to 13 inches of snow for every inch of rain that should have fallen.

“In some circumstances and providing the conditions and temperatures are at an optimum – then we can even expect up to 15 inches of snow for every inch of rain.”

Snow fell in Scotland today and more is expected across the UK

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Snow fell in Scotland today and more is expected across the UK

Corbyn, forecaster for WeatherAction, said this with a “displaced Polar Vortex” will bring an unusually harsh winter.The Polar Vortex – a pool of freezing air which covers the Arctic region – will slip southwards over northern Europe, he said.He warned of widespread snow, stormy conditions and blizzards during the second half of November.

He said: “It will start to turn much colder during the second half of November with the risk of snow or blizzards especially further north.

“This will be the pattern into the start of December with bitter winds coming in from the Polar region and heavy snow over higher ground.

“The jet stream is making wild deviations and due to the pressure set up over Scandinavia we are expecting the Polar vortex to shift.

“This will bring very cold conditions across the country.”

As the weather turns colder experts have warned Britain could be facing the harshest winter for five years.

Long-range weather forecasts suggest this year dishing up a stark change from the previous four mild seasons.

Todd Crawford, chief meteorologist at The Weather Company, said: “We expect the coldest winter in the UK since 2012-13.”

AccuWeather has also warned the UK is in the firing line for another 11 Atlantic Storms before the end of winter.

Forecaster Tyler Roys said: “Our forecast is for 10 to 13 storms to be named by the Met Office this autumn and winter.

“We expect an active storm period until January, with further storms until April.”

Bookmakers Ladbrokes have slashed the odds on the coldest November on record to 7-2 with 3-1 for snow in London next week.

Spokesman Alex Apati said: “Punters backing a bitter winter could soon be onto a winner with icy blasts predicted between now and the end of the month, as the odds continue to fall with the thermometers.”

Climate experts have this week confirmed a La Nina ocean cooling pattern has become established in the eastern Pacific.

Emily Becker, of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said: “There’s about a 65 to 75 per cent chance that La Niña conditions will continue at least through the winter.”

Met Office forecaster Emma Sharples added: “Sea surface temperatures in the tropical Central and Eastern Pacific have now fallen close to La Niña thresholds. Long-range prediction systems indicate this cooling is very likely to continue in the coming weeks, leading to a full La Niña event over the next few months.

“La Niña slightly increases the chance of blocking patterns over the North Atlantic and Europe in late autumn and early winter, leading to increased chances of colder-than-average conditions.”

NOAA Report: El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion : La Niña Advisory

Cover Photo Credit: EUAN Cherry/WENN.com

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