The Met Office has said there is an "increased chance" of the weather phenomenon that brought the Beast from the East returning in the coming months. 

Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) resulted in weather chaos which forced hundreds of schools to close and blanketed Norfolk with snow in 2018. 

The phenomenon leads to colder conditions and a weakened polar vortex over the coming weeks "increases the chances" of its return. 

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Train Station during Beast from the East in 2018Norwich Train Station during Beast from the East in 2018 Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the Met Office, said: "There is an increased chance of an SSW occurring later this winter.

"Although any impacts will become clearer nearer the time, any effect on UK weather is most likely to occur in January and February."

READ MORE: Looking back at the Beast from the East

Another factor also influencing the weather in the UK this winter is the Quasi-Biennial Oscillation (QBO).

This is a regular variation of the winds that blow high above the equator and it is currently in an easterly phase which also increases the likelihood of an SSW.

Eastern Daily Press: Colman Junior School during Beast from the EastColman Junior School during Beast from the East (Image: Newsquest)There is disruptive weather yet to come before the arrival of the new year as a warning has been issued for parts of the county this weekend. 

Strong winds are expected to hit south and east Norfolk including Acle, Great Yarmouth and Loddon. 

A spokesman for the Met Office added that it was still "too early to tell" whether there would be an SSW event this winter.