What is now being referred to as a ‘Godzilla’ El Niño is continuing to develop in the Pacific Ocean. And forecasters believe that it could cause some rather wet, windy, and wild weather in the UK over the coming months. Freezing cold winds and even the prospect of a ‘polar vortex’ could sweep towards Britain as a result of this unprecedented weather event. And whilst it’s still too early to predict the exact impact the El Niño will have on London, the UK government and the energy experts over at British/Scottish Gas are urging Brits to stock up on essentials in case of emergency.
British Gas has published a checklist of recommended precautions, whilst the UK government has updated and expanded its pre-existing Prepare Campaign toolkit. Recommended steps ahead of winter include stockpiling at least three days worth of food and keeping it in an ‘easy-to-reach’ part of your home. The checklist urges Brits to make an emergency kit featuring the likes of medicine, drinking water, non-perishable food, extra blankets, torches, and batteries.
Both sites recommend having a plan in place in case of emergency, ensuring you have a way to stay in contact with your household and a meeting place if you’re unable to get home. British & Scottish Gas also encourages people to get their homes winter-ready by sealing gaps around doors and windows, insulating exposed pipes, fixing leaks, and checking smoke and carbon monoxide monitors.
Just to reiterate, there are currently no precise forecasts telling us the specific impacts that El Niño will have on the UK’s weather. It can increase the likelihood of wet and stormy weather and could affect the polar vortex. At this time, the shifts in weather patterns are based on probability rather than guaranteed. But it’s always good to be prepared, hey?
You can read the UK government’s preparation advice here and peruse British Gas’s extreme weather checklist here.
