Weather | Is the Czech Republic facing a very hard winter? Experts explain how it really is

Meteorologists noted that reports of a harsh winter usually stem from the La Nina phenomenon, which has a cooling effect on a global scale. But this large-scale cooling of the surface layers of the ocean in the central and eastern parts of the Pacific mainly affects North and South America. “For example, it often brings colder weather and more snow to the Canadian and West Coast regions of the US,” they say

However, La Nina does not affect Europe in the same way, or rather as strongly. “In studies that statistically focused on the possible influence of this phenomenon in Europe, there are although certain signals were found, but certainly not so significant. It is certainly not possible to claim that the presence of this phenomenon automatically means a cold winter in our country.” the ČHMÚ warns.

Ladova winter? Rather not

From the long-term outlook of certain models, it does not follow that Europe should have a significantly cold winter ahead. “Rather, slightly above average again, within average at most,” meteorologists describe how warm a winter they realistically expect.

In addition, the amount of snow will not be enough. “The models indicate a below-normal amount of snow for the central European region. This may be different, especially in Scandinavia, where on the other hand there are relatively robust signals for a larger amount of snow,” they point out that this year there will be no big skiing in the Czech mountains.

However, in the short term, a significant cooling may occur in our country as well, these are phenomena that will appear. “One of them is, for example, the weakening or complete breakdown of the polar vortex in the stratosphere, after which the chance of cold arctic air penetrating us also increases,” says the CHMÚ, adding that no one knows now if something like this will happen.

“So what will the winter be like? It is much more likely that the next one will be rather above average warm, at most an average winter and, unfortunately, precipitation will again be unremarkable. Any news about a significant winter and snowfall is therefore more of a wishful thinking than a fact-based outlook,” the meteorologists conclude.