Boost for hopes of a white Christmas

Forecasters excited at potential 'polar disturbance' with snow possible next week

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor

WEATHER charts showing signs of a possible polar disturbance have excited online forecasters. If the phenomenon materialises, it would significantly improve the chance of a White Christmas in Wales and the UK.

Past Met Office data suggests there's a 20% chance of seeing snow somewhere in Wales on Christmas Day this year. If the polar disturbance unfolds, it would dramatically increase the likelihood of December snow and ice.

Current data point to a possible “Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW)” event, which can spark a collapse of the Polar Vortex. This is a circulation system that locks freezing temperatures into polar regions.

When it becomes disrupted, cold polar air can escape and flood south. The 2018 Beast from the East, which saw the UK experience severe cold and snowfall, was caused by a similar SSW event.