A strong stratospheric warming event is underway over the Arctic in early February 2026, rapidly weakening the Northern Hemisphere polar vortex. Forecasts indicate stratospheric westerly wind reversal and vortex split around mid-February, with cores separating further later.
Storm Chandra the United Kingdom and Ireland with major flooding, power outages, and travel disruptions on January 27 and 28, 2026. Hundreds of flood alerts were issued across the affected regions while local councils and emergency services carried out rescues in the southwest, where rainfall totals reached 45 mm (1.8 inches) in 24 hours with coastal gusts peaking near 110 km/h (70 mph).
Meteorological forecasts show a major sudden stratospheric warming event forming over the Arctic, likely to cause significant weakening of the polar vortex in early February 2026. The resulting atmospheric disruption may alter jet-stream dynamics and increase the risk of Arctic air intrusions into North America and northern Europe during the second half of February.
A major polar vortex disruption has begun and is forecast to send Arctic air into much of North America and Europe through mid and late January 2026. The event will bring freezing temperatures and winter weather as the vortex weakens following a stratospheric warming episode. A second, stronger outbreak is forecast to occur during the last part of January as the core of the vortex splits into two halves, each driving cold Arctic air into Europe and North America in February.
A stratospheric warming event over the North Pole is expected to weaken the polar vortex and may lead to a core split around January 25, 2026. The disruption could cause another surge of Arctic air, bringing below-average temperatures and snow to large parts of the U.S. and Europe.
At least six people have been killed in separate avalanche incidents across the French Alps, with the latest fatalities being reported on January 11, 2026.
Thousands of tourists were stranded in northern Finland on January 11, 2026, after flights at Kittilä Airport were canceled due to extreme cold that made de-icing and fueling operations impossible. Temperatures dropped to −37°C (−34.6°F), one of the lowest readings of the winter season, amid a wider Arctic cold outbreak affecting large parts of northern and central Europe.
Storm Goretti struck the United Kingdom on January 9, 2026, causing at least 2 fatalities in England and Wales. Winds reached 160 km/h (100 mph) as the storm brought heavy snow and significant coastal flooding, leaving nearly half a million customers without power — approximately 1.2 million people. The Met Office issued rare red wind warnings for southwest England as power cuts, flight cancellations, and travel disruption spread across the country.
Storm Goretti underwent explosive cyclogenesis, bringing widespread snow, ice, and strong winds across the United Kingdom this week. The storm was named by Meteo France on January 6, 2026. It caused major transport disruption, school closures, and power interruptions across Wales, northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The UK Met Office has issued multiple yellow and amber warnings for snow and ice, remaining in effect through January 8, 2026.
A severe winter storm has killed at least six people and disrupted transport across Europe since Monday, January 5, 2026. Heavy snow, freezing rain, and temperatures below −10°C (14°F) caused deadly accidents in France, flight cancellations in Paris and Amsterdam, along with widespread power and travel disruptions.
