Met Office responds to claims of new ‘Beast from the East’ set to hit UK

Some forecasters have predicted an 'indicator of a Beast from the East'

The Met Office has played down claims that a 'snow bomb' similar to the 'Beast from the East' is set to hit the UK. Some forecasters had predicted a polar vortex could trigger a deep freeze across the UK, causing similar conditions to those seen in 2018. The country is had been expected to experience milder temperatures in the coming days after a long spell of freezing conditions. It is now thought that this cold weather will last longer than predicted.

Brian Gaze from The Weather Outlook told the Express: "Computer models are suggesting that a weakening of the Stratospheric Polar Vortex (SPV) in the coming weeks could lead to an increasing chance of cold weather during February.

Meteorologist Jim Dale said: “There is a change in weather patterns now looking likely at the start of December. If this happens, we are in a classic position to get a cold flow in from the east, and with that, snow, ice and very cold winds. "This is an indicator of a Beast from the East, and although it has not woken up fully yet, it is safe to say the beast is opening its eyes." [caption id="attachment_375814" align="alignnone" width="2048"] The 'Beast from the East' caused travel chaos in the UK in late February 2018 (Getty)[/caption] But the Met Office has said any suggestions of a deep freeze are premature. Snow is not currently forecast for February, with the Met Office forecast reading: "Changeable weather conditions are likely to bring rainfall, heavy at times, to the north and west. The south and east are expected to see some lighter rain or showers at times, interspersed with some drier and brighter periods." [caption id="attachment_375817" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Royal Marines deliver aid to communities cut off by snow in March 2018 (Getty)[/caption] Forecasters have also predicted "settled conditions" for the middle of the month bringing a greater risk of overnight frost and freezing fog. They added: "Temperatures are expected to be generally at or slightly above average, although a brief colder spell remains possible." In a blog post, the Met Office says: "Well, a sudden stratospheric warming is underway, but only a minor one. The warming is expected to peak towards the end of January. The strong westerly winds high over the Arctic, called the stratospheric polar vortex, have weakened and the vortex is partially collapsing. "However, the polar vortex has been unusually strong so far this year and although there has been a minor SSW, the winds are expected to rebound quickly, recovering to speeds around normal for the time of year." Read next:

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