The Polar Vortex is collapsing - and that could have dramatic consequences for the start of our winter. It is being hit by a sudden stratospheric warming event - the earliest ever recorded - a process that could end with the UK seeing freezing temperatures, and less likely, the arrival of a so-called Beast from the East. The vortex is a spinning ribbon of cold air that circulates the North Pole. Sometimes that vortex can be split or displaced when it is hit by warm air - a fairly common event later in winter. Forecasters are unsure exactly why the vortex has come under attack so early in the season but El Nino is a likely cause. And they don't know exactly what the consequences will be for Britain. #ukweather #polarvortex #elnino #climatechange SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more videos: http://www.youtube.com/skynews Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/skynews Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skynews Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skynews Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skynews For more content go to http://news.sky.com and download our apps: Apple https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sky-news/id316391924?mt=8 Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bskyb.skynews.android&hl=en_GB Why not listen to one of our podcasts? This is Why, available for free here: https://podfollow.com/thisiswhy or Ed Conway's Stuff Matters, available here: https://podfollow.com/stuff-matters To enquire about licensing Sky News content, you can find more information here: https://news.sky.com/info/library-sales