Yes, however we are already in a -AO/NAO and a had a SSW as well minor SW as two reversal of zonal winds which have all failed to provide us and proper sustained cold and snow - how many reversal of zonal winds to we need? We already had HLB prior to this SSW anyway - i just feel since the SSW we have seen anything but cold and more wetter and the SSW has (if anything) ruined things as we already had blocking over Greenland. I was speaking to to Aidan McGivern on Twitter re the last SSW on 5th January asking him why since the SSW we are seeing milder weather and a reduction in HLB: - Here is what he had to say:
Every situation is different and you don't always get freezing easterlies. There has been a response in our weather from the SSW, it's just not been a 'beast from the east' style response. More of a southward-displaced jet stream.
If you look at in the simplest term anything that disrupts the usual winter pattern over the Polar region can only have the potential to alter the synoptic patterns below.
Nothing guarantees a severe cold spell but as that tweet says, we have got the jet on a more southerly track and that has produced some wintry weather, particularly further north. That pattern is set to repeat itself again from Friday and through the weekend, with cold conditions spreading south and more chances for snow.
Don't forget that we are also at the point in the solar cycle (sunspots) when blocked periods in winter are more likely but, just like a SSW, that doesn't guarantee it will happen.
Location: South Cambridgeshire
130 metres ASL
52.0N 0.1E