Is a polar vortex going to hit London within weeks? Met Office explains likely impact of 'godzilla' El Niño

Londoners should brace themselves for icy weather and freezing temperatures as El Niño threatens to wreak havoc on weather once again this year. The weather phenomenon saw the capital face its hottest summer on record as wildfires and drought swept over the UK. But the worst could be yet to come with experts warning of a wet and stormy winter - and even a polar vortex - as the strongest El Niño event in 1,000 years develops over the Pacific Ocean. People shelter from the rain under an umbrella, in Westminster, central London (Jonathan Brady/PA)PA WireIt comes as government bodies and experts urge Britons to start stockpiling food and water in case of an emergency. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has advised that all homes should have cash, a supply of bottled water, and some tinned goods at their disposal should disaster strike, the Sun reported. El Niño is a naturally occurring climate cycle which takes place when sea temperatures become warmer than average, impacting air circulation patterns. This year’s El Niño has been dubbed “Godzilla” because of its exceptional impact and scale. As early as this week, rainy, gusty and stormy weather could blow over London and the UK. The Met Office has warned that there could be an increased likelihood of spells of rain and strong winds in comparison to average during parts of the season in London, but it is “not possible to attribute specific weather events to El Niño”. Meteorologists have also warned of a polar vortex - a large band of counter-clockwise winds that circle above the Earth’s North and South poles. The stratospheric polar vortex is not a weather system that moves into the UK, but changes in its strength could influence weather patterns lower down in the atmosphere, according to forecasters.A spokesperson for the Met Office said: “A stronger-than-normal polar vortex can favour a stronger jet stream, which may increase the likelihood of mild, wet and windy conditions. “Conversely, a weaker polar vortex can sometimes increase the chances of colder weather affecting the UK.” Dan Holley, Met Office deputy chief forecaster, told the Independent that a “deep area of low pressure could pass close to the UK” this week. Read More“This may bring some wet and windy weather for some, which coupled with high spring tides, could bring impacts to some coastal areas in the west,” he said.Forecasters cautioned that there is no current indication of how the polar vortex could impact London and is just one factor meteorologists will consider when assessing weather patterns.