Warning of weather conditions that caused 'Beast from the East' - Kilkenny Live

Forecasters are warning of an increased likelihood of a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event occurring next week, the same weather event that eventually led to the infamous 'Beast from the East' in 2018. 

Right now, the stratospheric polar vortex (SPV) is a rotating vortex of cold air high up in the stratosphere over polar regions.

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It forms every winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the strength of the Northern Hemisphere SPV has a significant influence on the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude weather patterns.

When the SPV is in a weakened or non-symmetrical state, it can lead to the weakened jetstream behaving more like a meandering river with blocking high pressure forming in our region, bringing the possibility of colder, drier weather.

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A major SSW event can be linked to freezing cold temperatures such as the ones seen in 2018, however there are no guarantees.

Forecasters will however be keeping a keen eye on prevailing weather patterns and should a Sudden Stratospheric Warming occur, major weather events cannot be ruled out.