A freak weather event that caused up to 20 inches of snowfall to settle across the UK during the infamous 'Beast from the East' snowstorm could be set to return.

The February 2018 blizzard saw temperatures across the country plummet well below freezing as many areas were blanketed in snow. Forecasters now say this might be repeated as a phenomenon known as sudden stratospheric warming (SSW), which, despite its name, brings sub-zero temperatures and Arctic conditions to the UK, may occur.

This event sees a rapid warming in the stratosphere, to about 50°C in just a couple of days, between 10km and 50km above Earth’s surface, according to the Met Office.

The polar vortex sparks SSW, sometimes causing cold air to rush downwards, impacting the jet stream and potentially creating a blocking p

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