Low-pressure weather systems have been stalling across the UK and Western Europe in general, leading to days of rain and cloudy skies.
It has been caused by a large area of high pressure being stuck across Scandinavia and acting like a road-block preventing weather systems from moving eastward as we’d normally see.
This is a “blocked” weather pattern and, while fairly common, it has been notable because of its consequences on the UK so far this year.
Blocked weather patterns can take on slightly different forms depending on where exactly large areas of high pressure can become stuck.
For example, if the blocked area of high pressure happens to be situated over the UK, it stops rain-bearing weather systems from arriving and gives us a prolonged dry spell.
In the summer, it can lead to droughts but also heatwaves as hot air is drawn in from the south-east.
Over the winter, it can make our weather dry, sunny and cold.
However, very small changes in position can make the difference.
If the blocking high was just to the north of the UK in winter, it allows very cold air from north-east Europe to arrive, resulting in similar conditions to the infamous “Beast from the East” in 2018.