Changes to ocean currents brought on by warming in the Arctic could see the UK gripped by more cold and snowy winters, scientists have suggested. Researchers believe that the melting of glacial ice could be contributing to the ocean becoming less saline, or "freshening", and warmer - potentially leading to changes in the circulation of the seas. Currently cold water in the high Arctic sinks into the deep sea, pulling warmer water up from the Gulf Stream and giving northwest Europe its mild weather. But increased levels of fresh water and warming Arctic seas could reduce the pull of the current and unbalance weather patterns around the world. The scientists were speaking ahead of an expedition to the Arctic as part of efforts to establish how it is melting - which will help them predict if the ocean currents will change. Explorers with the Catlin Arctic Survey expedition will venture out on to the ice to drill holes down into the ocean, measuring temperature, salinity and flow of the water just below the sea ice. Simon Boxall of the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton said the Arctic was changing faster than previous models had suggested, and that over the last four years the surface area of Arctic ice had shrunk to levels predicted for 2070. Referring to a disaster movie depicting a world thrown into a deep freeze, he said: "It's not a catastrophic The Day After Tomorrow-type scenario, but we would notice winters become slightly cooler, and summers would be slightly wetter and cooler."

Originally posted by SmellMyHoop
Funny that because for the last 3 week's or so it has been very mild here in UK.
I remember when we first started getting the cold patch back in late November everyone was saying "It's going to be a very harsh Winter, constant snow for month's"

Lol like i say It's very mild, nothing to worry about at all.