Temperatures set to drop as big freeze looks set to hit Northern Ireland

There may be a hint of spring in the air... but don't be fooled... winter isn't done with us just yet.

According to the Met Office a significant cold spell could affect much of the UK and Ireland next week. It's looking increasingly likely that we will see colder than average weather conditions down to a unique meteorological phenomenon.

Here's the geeky bit. A blast of freezing Siberian air is being blown towards us by an event over the North Pole called 'Sudden Stratospheric Warming' (SSW).

The process causes the polar vortex – a mass of cold air in the upper atmosphere – to split, favouring extremely cold conditions.

This last happened in 2010 and 2013 during a month long big freeze when up to 2 foot of snow blanketed the country and temperatures plummeted to below freezing.

Temperatures set to drop as big freeze looks set to hit Northern Ireland

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Forecasters are concerned a similar weather phenomenon could be triggered next week, however they are uncertain about how cold it will get.

The Met Office say; "There is increasing confidence that the recent Sudden Stratospheric Warming above the North Pole could lead to prolonged cold conditions over the UK, increasing the risk of easterly wind and significant snow."

There is one thing for certain, whether the big freeze arrives or not - it is set to be chillier than usual heading into March.

Keep up to date with the forecast.

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