Europe could face colder weather as polar vortex weakens

Disruption to winds above the Arctic threatens to alter weather patterns across parts of Europe in the coming weeks. The stratospheric polar vortex over the northern hemisphere is facing an unusually early weakening, a shift that normally would not occur until later in the season.

Forecast models indicate the vortex could weaken significantly over the next ten days, when it would typically be strengthening. A major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event is possible, which could influence weather patterns in the following weeks by increasing the likelihood of persistent areas of high pressure across the mid‑latitudes and colder conditions weeks later.