Britain could be battered by snowstorms for four months in the coldest winter in a decade, according to some meteorologists.
Despite record high temperatures this summer, forecasters are expecting the coming winter to bring cold temperatures even lower than last year’s ‘Beast from the East’.
The extreme dip in temperature could be as early as November, and could even see the UK enjoy a white Christmas – finally!
The cold front is thought to be making its way from the Atlantic and Arctic clash, which could trigger ice storms across the UK.
The warming of El Nino over the eastern Pacific Ocean, as well as changes in air patterns over the tropics, could result in lower temperatures in December, January and February.
All of this is according to Exacta weather forecaster James Madden, who gave his forecast to the Daily Express.
He said:
All our long-range projections have been showing for some time that December is likely to be a colder than average month overall and we are expecting several widespread snowy periods.
This year we are expecting potentially hazardous winter conditions from early on in the season.
Long range forecasts can only give a rough indication of what may happen, however, and some weather forecasters insist, weather cannot be accurately predicted more than 30 days in advance.
Despite this, Madden explained the cooler temperatures could be caused by a period of ‘low solar activity’ which may affect our jet stream of warm air.
This is what caused the cold winter of 2010 and the ‘Beast From The East’.
A spokesman for the UK Met Office said:
El Niño years are one factor that can increase the risk of colder winters in the UK.
A study has revealed the average Brit spends the equivalent of four and a half months of their life talking about our go-to small talk topic of choice – the weather.
No matter how many rainy, windy or sunny days we experience in Britain, there always seems to be something going on with the weather which we can’t help talk about.
We’re all aware Brits talking about the weather is a bit of a stereotype, but research commissioned by Bristol Airport conducted a poll of 2,000 adults, and revealed it’s actually based on fact.
As mundane as it is, the subject of the weather comes up three times in a typical day, apparently.
The exchanges beginning with things like ‘blimey, it’s hot today isn’t it?’, or ‘it’s so miserable outside’, tend to last just under three minutes, totalling on average an hour each week.
On top of that, the average adult will post six weather-related comments a month on social media, and spend 11 minutes a week checking the forecast via TV, an app, or the internet.
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