London faces Beast from the East repeat as polar vortex threatens freeze

London could face a spell of unusually cold weather this winter as a disruption to the polar vortex raises the possibility of Arctic air moving towards the UK. The polar vortex, a vast circulation of cold air high above the Arctic, can influence winter weather patterns when it weakens or becomes distorted, potentially allowing colder air to reach lower latitudes. Meteorologists are also monitoring the developing El Niño phenomenon and its possible influence on atmospheric circulation. The prospect of a colder spell has revived memories of the 2018 ‘Beast from the East’, when freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall swept across Britain, disrupting transport, closing schools and affecting daily life.What is polar vortex?The polar vortex is a large circulation of strong winds surrounding the Arctic during winter. The stratospheric polar vortex forms high above the Earth's surface, approximately 16 to 48 kilometres up, where temperatures over the North Pole become extremely low. The circulation helps shape atmospheric patterns that influence weather in the Northern Hemisphere.When the polar vortex is strong, its winds generally circulate from west to east around the Arctic. When it we...