The latest forecasts show the arrival of a massive stream of freezing air from Siberia, which is expected to move towards the British Isles. If this cold air meets a moist front over the North Sea, heavy snowfall and severe frost can result. Similar conditions were behind the infamous March 2018 episode, when the Beast from the East caused deaths and widespread traffic breakdowns in the UK, reports .
According to Jim Dale, chief meteorologist at the British Weather Services, the decisive turning point could take place around January 21. “If the true Beast from the East were to form, we’d expect it to appear around this date. If it’s just a weaker variant, it could take a few days. But if it develops fully, it could easily continue until the beginning of February,” Dale told the newspaper. This would mean that there will be at least 10 days of frost.
The key factor will be the development of the pressure level over Norway and Sweden. This could cause the onset of easterly winds, which will bring cold air from Siberia. However, according to meteorologists, the cold alone is not enough. “In order to talk about a real ‘beast’, we need not only cold wind, but also moisture – that is, the ingredients for making snow,” Dale explained.
If there is a collision of cold air with moisture over the North Sea, the first snow would hit eastern counties such as Kent, Norfolk and Suffolk. Subsequently, the snowpack could expand westward and become resistant to warmer air coming from the Atlantic.
„The worst-case scenario is when the ‘beast’ settles over the land and cannot be pushed out – then we will have continuous frost, ice and snow here,” warns the meteorologist. If so, there could be widespread and prolonged snowfall across much of the UK. However, experts emphasize that the situation can still change.
He also drew attention to the arrival of this well-known phenomenon. After a period of milder weather and freezing rain thus, Europe will again find itself in the power of winter, which according to forecasts should also affect the center of the continent, including Slovakia.
Although sunny weather will remain over our territory during the weekend, clear skies and penetration of Arctic air will cause a significant drop in temperatures. At night, in some areas of Slovakia, the mercury in the thermometer can drop to -20 °C, while it will be coldest in the north and east of the country. The frost will persist throughout the day, and although sunshine will break up the inversion, wintry conditions will be significant.
