People in the UK have been warned that another ‘Beast from the East’ could be coming our way – but does the Met Office agree and will the adverse weather conditions reach Lancashire?

In February 2018 the Beast from the East, a phrase used to describe cold and wintry conditions in the UK as a result of a polar continental air mass, brought the UK to a standstill.

Lancashire was hit with a blanket of snow and public services across the area were affected on February 27, 2018.

Lancashire Telegraph: Blackburn Cathedral when the Beast from the East hit Lancashire in 2018Blackburn Cathedral when the Beast from the East hit Lancashire in 2018 (Image: NQ)

The snow closed more than 50 schools across East Lancashire and public transport was affected, as well as bin collections being re-scheduled.

Now there are talks of the weather phenomenon making a return at the end of February or start of March.

We asked the Met Office if a Beast from the East will hit the UK and if Lancashire will be impact.

The weather service said it is “too early to say” for certain but will keep a close eye on the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW), where rapid warming occurs high up in the stratosphere that can lead to changes in our weather at the surface.

The Met Office said a SSW will take place in a matter of days but it won’t know how this will impact the UK weather for a few weeks.

A spokesperson said: “An SSW will occur in the coming days but this wouldn’t have an impact on UK weather until late February or early March.

“However, some SSWs have no direct impact on UK weather, like in 2019.

“In short, we’re monitoring how this SSW occurs in the coming days and will likely to be able to say a little more next week about what this might mean for UK weather.”

The Met Office said the second half of February is currently predicted to be largely mild.

According to the long range forecast for the north west (February 20 – March 15) the weather is looking to be unsettled with rain and strong winds forecast.

It says: “Feeling fresh with moderate winds in the north, but light elsewhere and feeling mild. For the first half of the period, low pressure will dominate to the north and higher pressure to the south.

“This will lead to drier conditions in southern and eastern areas with some overnight mist and fog. More changeable, unsettled conditions with spells or rain and stronger winds at times are likely in the north.

“Towards the end of the period, there is a greater of high pressure dominating across the UK.

“Temperatures overall milder than average, but a continued risk of cold nights in places.

“Any impacts from the SSW wouldn’t be felt until the end of February, and it’s simply too early to provide details on if and how the SSW will affect UK weather.”

Seven day forecast for Blackburn with Darwen:

 

 

  • Wednesday, February 15: Sunny changing to partly cloudy by early evening. Highs of 8°C and lows of 6°C.

 

  • Thursday, February 16: Overcast changing to light rain by nighttime. Highs of 9°C and lows of 7 °C.

 

  • Friday, February 17: Overcast changing to heavy rain by late morning. Highs of 11°C and lows of 5°C.

 

  • Saturday, February 18: Cloudy. Highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C.

 

  • Sunday, February 20: Overcast. Highs of 9°C and lows of 5°C.

 

  • Monday, February 21: Overcast. Highs of 10°C and lows of 7°C.

 

  • Tuesday, February 22: Overcast. Highs of 9°C and lows of 4°C.