The Beast of the East: a meteorological phenomenon that some say that he will arrive in Spain

Winter comesField yes, for those who know little English or have never seen Game of Thrones“Winter is approaching.” Well, he actually has more than a month, but Weather predictions They warned that in the next few days he would reach a larger path, with much lower temperatures than those that we have recently in Spain. The reason is Cold air mass from Russia and ScandinaviaSo many people have launched themselves to approaching The beast of the EastField

This is not a technically recognized phenomenon in meteorology, but the concept used in conversational speech since 2018 To refer to an extreme cold wave from Eastern Europe. Soon I could fit with what will happen, but the reality is that we should not call it that; Well, in fact it won’t even be Cold click.

Many media mentioned State Meteorological Agency In his headlines. According to this, Aemet warns of the arrival of the beast of the East. Nevertheless, Aemet did not refer to this concept at any time. Against. So what will happen in the next few days? And when could it be called an oriental beast?

What is an oriental beast?

The concept of the eastern beast was invented British media During the Great Cold Wave, the mercury collapsed in a large part of Europe in 2018. The temperature is much lower than usual, and snowfall was caused by the arrival of the great Cold air is formed in Siberia.

Therefore, since then it has been known as the eastern beast with any extreme cold wave that is formed by the transport of cold air masses From Russia to other parts of Europe.

And what happens in Spain?

Currently, the temperature in Spain is not very cold at a time when we are, but this may change in the next few days for two phenomena. On the one hand, excellent anticyclone This has been formed Between Scandinavia and Russia. Anticlon is a meteorological phenomenon that occurs in the field of High pressure In which the wind begins to circulate in the direction of the watch needles in the northern hemisphere and vice versa in the south. Another phenomenon that will lead to changes in Spain is intense Lower pressure in the MediterraneanThe field difference between one area and the other will cause a flow of winds from the North -East Spanish, which will introduce the cold air of Russian air. As a result, the temperature will drop and may occur Frost and snow.

Although the temperature decrease can be generalized, at present Aemet has planned a very cold Friday in Peninsula interior, With freezers that will be reinforced during the weekend. Snow can occur at low levels in the north of the country. The agency also recalls that time is unstable and Forecasts may change. But the fact that they do not mention at any time is a cold wave, so we cannot talk about the eastern beast.

There is no eastern beast without a cold wave, but when is this taken into account the temperature?

As explained from Eltiempo.esSo the period of low temperatures is considered a cold wave, two factors must converge. The first is that thermal origin lasts at least 3 consecutive daysThe field and the second, what for these three days at least 10% weather stations Record temperatures below 5% of the reference series (1971-2000) for the months of January and February.

This means that if all the temperatures registered at each station are located from the lower to a higher level during this period and are divided into 100 equal parts, now the temperature should be lower than the fifth part. This seems to be wrong in Spain; So, regardless of how much cold air comes from Russia, we cannot talk about the eastern beast. Of course, the same Prepare a coatBecause you need it.