Brits told to 'stockpile these six foods now' as Polar Vortex set to blanket entire country

Families are being urged to stockpile six crucial food items this winter, while growing concerns that a brutally cold, snow -filled season driven by the El Niño weather phenomenon could be on the cards. A polar vortex threatens to bring colder conditions and potential snowfall across the UK this winter, as the El Niño weather phenomenon fuels a harsher than typical season, climate experts have warned. Earlier this week, the Met Office explained how a weakening Polar Vortex could send a freezing blast of Arctic air sweeping down towards the UK and Europe, with snowfall looking increasingly likely, though not yet guaranteed.

El Niño has been a key factor behind scorching temperatures this year, with the warming of the ocean's surface having a major impact on global weather patterns, creating much warmer than average conditions. It's thought to have been one of the factors behind the UK's five record-breaking heatwaves this summer. While nothing is set in stone at this point, the El Niño weather front causes changes in high and low pressure systems. The strength of a polar vortex - the mass of cold air which normally circulates over the North and South poles - is vulnerable to disruption from jet streams.

When disturbed, it can push freezing air, sparking a cold snap and snowfall, across the US and Europe, reports the Express, reports Chronicle Live . According to USA Today, El Niño has the capability to interact with the polar vortex. The publication reports: "The polar vortex above the Arctic is linked to the jet stream. Both can be impacted by El Niño, and bring about changes in our weather patterns, said Darryn Waugh, a professor in Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University.

"El Niño drives changes in the high and low-pressure patterns in the troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere where weather happens, said Amy Butler, a physicist at NOAA's Chemical Sciences Laboratory." The Met Office has clarified that a scorching summer doesn't necessarily mean a freezing winter, dismissing any direct and consistent connection as a myth. However, the El Niño phenomenon could potentially be responsible for sending the UK into a cold snap this winter, although this remains highly uncertain.

In its latest weather blog, published this week, the forecaster revealed: "The stratospheric polar vortex is already unusually stretched, with the disturbance associated with so-called "wave two" activity, when two large atmospheric waves push into it from opposite directions. "This wave two activity is considerably stronger than average for the time of year. Forecasts suggest the vortex will subsequently become increasingly displaced from the North Pole."

Direct Energy recommends that households facing potential snowfall should stock up on non-perishable food and essentials in case they're unable to get to their local supermarket, or experience a power cut, making sure they don't go without food while waiting for the harsh weather to clear. According to the energy firm, households should make sure they have these six crucial items before a snowstorm hits: Bottled water Bread Milk Tinned goods, especially warming foods like soups and stews Snack foods, such as crisps, crackers and cookies in sealed packages Cereal and granola Dried pasta and jars of sauce In its online advice on snowstorm preparation, the company stated: "After heavy snowfall or blizzard conditions, you could find yourself snowed in for days.

"Getting cut off from your local grocery store could be made worse by a prolonged power outage, which would leave you with just a few hours to enjoy the remaining contents of your fridge safely. But if you stock your pantry with filling shelf-stable foods, you won't go hungry while waiting for the snow to be cleared." For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters .