Sudden Stratospheric Warming: The Icy Threat Looming in 2025

According to weather experts, the weather phenomenon that caused the 'Beast from the East' snowstorm in 2018 could be set to return in 2025. The 'Beast from the East' event saw temperatures across the UK plummet and up to 20 inches of snow blanket parts of the country in February 2018.

This extreme weather was triggered by a weather pattern known as sudden stratospheric warming (SSW). SSW refers to a rapid warming, up to 50°C in just a couple of days, in the stratosphere, the layer of the atmosphere between 10km and 50km above the Earth's surface. This warming can disrupt the polar vortex, causing cold air to rush downward and impact the jet stream, potentially creating a blocking pattern that keeps snow and cold locked in place for an extended period.

Now, forecasters are warning that this phenomenon might be about to occur once more in 2025, potentially bringing sub-zero temperatures and Arctic conditions to the UK's shores. While the exact timing and severity of any future SSW event remain uncertain, the possibility of a repeat of the 'Beast from the East' has put weather services on high alert.