What Will Winter 2024/25 Be Like? It Seems Nature Is Changing Its Plans
Scientists are now changing their weather forecasts for Winter 2024/25, here's what it could mean for the U.S and Europe.
Scientists have found that our climate is influenced by interactions between unusual processes occurring at opposite poles of the Earth. These polar regions appear to "communicate" with each other.
Initially, meteorologists predicted a harsh winter for Europe. However, it now seems that Europe might experience a milder season, while the U.S. and Canada could face a colder winter than usual. What exactly determines whether a winter is cold or warm?
The answer lies in the strength of the northern polar vortex and its connection to its "southern sibling." A strong northern polar vortex traps cold air over the Arctic, leading to milder conditions, while a weaker vortex allows cold air to move southward, bringing colder weather. This dynamic explains how the U.S. can experience a cold winter while Europe remains warm, as the polar vortex interacts with atmospheric dynamics and the jet stream.
Meanwhile, the southern polar vortex in the Southern Hemisphere is undergoing even more dramatic changes, which could impact the Northern Hemisphere's weather. A significant stratospheric warming event is currently altering the southern polar vortex. These drastic atmospheric changes are caused by what's known as "stratospheric warming," which scientists have dubbed the "polar vortex illness."
Recent research has shown that atmospheric events in one hemisphere can influence the other, possibly through the stratosphere and the dynamics of the polar vortices. "The atmosphere is global, without borders, variable, and constantly in motion," say experts from Severe Weather Europe, a portal that monitors climate change and short- and long-term weather forecasts.
Back in August, meteorologists were predicting a cold winter for Europe in 2024/2025, but those forecasts are now changing. According to the latest research, current anomalies at both the southern and northern poles could lead to warmer-than-expected winter temperatures in Europe. Meanwhile, in the U.S. and Canada, this winter might be colder than usual.