A powerful force high above the Arctic has been fuelling storm chaos across the UK, with the Highlands among the worst hit.
Scientists have confirmed that a swirling polar vortex in the upper atmosphere played a key role in creating a brutal string of winter storms.
This vortex, a vast circulation of icy winds about 15 miles above the Earth’s surface, can supercharge storm activity when it intensifies.
In February 2022, the Highlands faced the wrath of storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin as part of one of the worst weather clusters in recent history.
The region was battered by damaging winds, blocked roads, fallen trees and lengthy power cuts, leaving rural communities isolated for days.
Experts from the University of Leeds and the Met Office now say the intense polar vortex made these storms up to three times more likely.
The storms didn’t come alone — they came in quick succession, overwhelming emergency services and local councils already stretched in remote areas.
Storm Eunice alone, described as a once-in-a-decade event, brought gusts strong enough to rip off roofs and down power lines across parts of the Highlands.
With winds recorded at over 120 miles per hour in the south, the Highlands faced similar force in exposed glens and coastlines, where weather stations reported some of the month’s highest gusts.
Road closures were widespread, with major routes like the A9 and A82 shut due to fallen trees and lorries overturned by gale-force winds.
Ferries were cancelled, rail lines shut down and many Highland villages were cut off, relying on local resilience and community support to get through the worst.
More than a million homes across the UK lost power during that week, and Highland households were among those left in the cold and dark for days.
The research shows that by recognising a strong polar vortex in early forecasts, meteorologists could give advanced warnings of such dangerous clusters weeks in advance.
The signal for a powerful vortex was actually spotted as early as November 2021, offering hope that earlier preparation could reduce impacts in the future.
That means rural areas like the Highlands, often last in line for emergency repair and response, could be better prepared with time to reinforce infrastructure.
Researchers believe this same vortex pattern also played a role in storm surges earlier this year, echoing the pattern seen in 2022 and even in 2020.
With climate change intensifying storm systems, the Highlands remain on the front line of the UK’s extreme weather challenges.
The study underlines the need for continued investment in early warning systems and local resilience, especially for remote communities with fewer resources.
As storms grow fiercer, understanding what drives them from the skies above the Arctic to the hills of the Highlands has never been more critical.
