What causes weather

Scientists fear that the extreme temperatures we are seeing could be a prelude to serious weather changes caused by climate change.

It is claimed that rising temperatures in the Arctic could affect the “polar vortex”, which surrounds the UK and acts as a buffer, creating the mild British climate. This week, areas of extremely high pressure have diverted the jet stream, exposing the UK to freezing air.

However, the polar vortex, which includes jet streams, gets its strength from the difference in temperature between the freezing Arctic and 0 Richard Dixon: ‘The Arctic is much warmer than it should be’ the milder temperatures of the south. Some scientists believe the polar vortex could be weakening.

Richard Dixon, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said that temperatures in the Arctic are rising