The UK braces for a rare climatic event that brings along bone chilling temperatures with it. A Sudden Stratospheric Warning event strikes once every two extended winters, only this time it will hit the country thrice in one season.
Scientists estimate such triple blows happen once in 250 years. Such an event is usually accompanied by heavy snow, ice and strong winds.
Professor Adam Scaife, who works with the UK Met Office, explained that 70% of SSW occurrences are linked to cold snaps. “Although this is very rare, we also found that the chance of multiple SSW events is increased,” he told the Independent outlet.
“The term sudden stratospheric warming refers to what is observed in the stratosphere- a rapid warming between 10 km and 50 km above the earth’s surface,” the Met Department says.
The phenomenon is not directly observed by humans as it happens nearly 50 kilometers above the ground. However, its impact can be felt on the ground.
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