Winter cold in Europe: why it feels so cold now and what you can do about it

You might recognise this. You turn the heating up slightly, but your hands still feel cold. Your feet feel chilly, and as soon as you sit still for a moment, the cold slowly creeps up your body. Outside it’s bleak, but indoors it doesn’t really feel comfortable either.

This is striking, because for years we’ve been hearing that climate change is actually making temperatures rise. So how is it that large parts of Europe now feel colder than usual?

The cold we are feeling now is no accident. In this article you’ll read where it comes from, what climate change has to do with it and how to stay warm without heating more.

The cold we are currently experiencing in Europe is the result of a cold snap. This is not an isolated cold day, but a large-scale movement of cold air masses across our continent.

Normally, the Atlantic Ocean provides relatively mild winters in Western Europe. But sometimes the entire air pattern over Europe changes.

Due to a weakened jet stream, cold air from the north currently has free rein across Europe.

High above us, at an altitude of around ten kilometres, the jet stream flows. It is a powerful air current that normally runs fairly straight from west to east. As long as that flow is strong, cold polar air remains largely trapped around the north. In the left image, you can see it clearly.

But when the jet stream weakens, it begins to meander. It then makes large bends, allowing cold air to move south and warm air to move north.

The right image shows how the jet stream meanders. This allows cold polar air to reach Europe, resulting in the current cold spell.

This seems contradictory, but it is not. Climate change is about long-term averages, while weather describes what we feel today.

The Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world. This reduces the temperature difference between the polar and temperate regions. And that very difference keeps the jet stream strong and stable.

When that contrast decreases, the jet stream becomes more unstable. The result is more extremes: warmer periods, but also sudden cold outbreaks. So a warmer Earth can actually cause temporary periods of increased cold at a local level.

Even with temperatures around freezing, this winter cold feels harsher than usual. This is due to several factors at once.

There is often a dry easterly wind, the sun is low and has little power, and because it freezes at night, houses and streets cool sharply. As a result, the cold not only stays outside, but slowly creeps indoors.

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During cold periods, energy consumption rises rapidly. Heaters run longer, heat pumps work harder and the demand for electricity increases.

At the same time, renewable energy sources often yield less in this type of weather situation. There is currently little wind and sunlight. As a result, gas power plants have to step in more often.

Energy prices resond quickly to this. Not just on what we all actually consume, but especially on the expectation that the cold will persist. Without fixed energy prices, you often feel a cold month immediately in your wallet.

Although we cannot influence the weather, we can be smarter about dealing with cold. One of the most effective ways to save energy is to heat yourself instead of the entire room.

With the right clothing, a lower room temperature can quickly feel comfortable. Opt for multiple layers rather than one thick sweater. Heated clothing is a smart way to give your body a little extra help to stay warm.

Did you know that during a cold snap, not only does the outside air cool down, but also your walls, floors and furniture. As a result, it takes more energy to get a room comfortably warm. Heated clothing bypasses that problem by heating your body directly, regardless of the temperature in the house.

Heated clothing works with thin heating elements and rechargeable batteries. They deliver heat exactly where you need it: on your body.

For example, wear heated undergarments or opt for a heated vest in your home.

Heated gloves and socks keep hands and feet warm during cold days outside. Did you know that your body also loses a lot of heat through your head? A heated hat helps considerably to reduce heat loss from your body.

That way, you can easily lower your thermostat by two to three degrees.

You can’t control the weather, but your own comfort can!