Britain facing ‘tipping point’ as ‘collapsing’ sea currents threaten big freeze
Britain could face a big freeze because of “collapsing” sea currents.
Atlantic circulation that drives the Gulf Stream, which brings warm and mild weather to Europe, is at its weakest in more than 1,000 years.
And scientists say it is now approaching a “tipping point” with the threat of colder winters and even a European big freeze like in disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow.
Lead author of a new study Dr Niklas Boers said it was down to the slowing of the Atlantic’s meridional overturning circulation (AMOC).
This carries warm water north from the Equator and sends cold water back south.
He said: “A collapse from the currently attained strong circulation mode would cool Europe substantially.
"The loss of stability would imply that the AMOC has approached its critical threshold beyond which a potentially irreversible transition to the weak mode could occur.”
The analysis was based on “fingerprints” the AMOC leaves in surface temperature and salinity patterns.
Experts say the finding is surprising as the scenario was expected to occur at global warming levels much higher than the present 1 or 2C.
Signs of life found on Saturn's moon hinting aliens are hidden beneath icy surface
Last year, the Star reported how scientists at the University of Northumberland were warning that the Earth could be hit by sub-zero weather and snow storms as the planet enters a "mini ice age" which could last for 30 years
Weaker activity from the sun could plunge the planet into temperatures as cold as -50C, causing food shortages around the world.
However don't go your panic buying just yet.
Many other scientists dispute the 'mini ice age' and point out that if there was a cooling of the sun any effect will be wiped out by global warning.
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