For some reason, the Polar Vortex has not propagated down the troposphere yet, hence its disorganised state allowing blocking at high latitudes.
Why that should be the case this year and whether it will change are key questions for our winter going forward. According to some, the global teleconnections (QBO in westerly phase, growing El Nino etc) should cause the PV to power up in its usual location, meaning a mild wet winter in western Europe.
Originally Posted by: Maunder Minimum