Households across the UK are being urged to stock up on six essential food items this winter amid warnings of a potentially harsh season driven by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Polar vortex risk
Climate experts warn that a polar vortex could bring colder weather and significant snowfall to Britain as El Niño disrupts usual weather patterns. The same phenomenon that contributed to the UK's five record-breaking heatwaves this summer could now trigger freezing conditions.
"The polar vortex above the Arctic is linked to the jet stream. Both can be impacted by El Niño, and bring about changes in our weather patterns," said Darryn Waugh, a professor in earth and planetary sciences at Johns Hopkins University.
Met Office forecast
The Met Office acknowledges that while a hot summer doesn't guarantee a cold winter, El Niño could still plunge the UK into severe weather. "Through the latter part of the winter, following a peak in El Niño, the stratospheric polar vortex can become weaker, leading to an increased chance of sudden stratospheric warming events unfurling, increasing the potential for cold weather," the forecaster stated.
Essential supplies
Direct Energy advises families to prepare for potential snowstorms by stocking non-perishable supplies. "After heavy snowfall or blizzard conditions, you could find yourself snowed in for days," the energy firm warned.
Households should ensure they have essential shelf-stable foods to avoid going hungry if cut off from local shops or during power outages. These include: bottled water; bread; milk; tinned goods especially warming foods like soups and stews; snack foods, such as crisps, crackers and cookies in sealed packages; cereal and granola; dried pasta and jars of sauce.
