Colder early winter in Europe could worsen cost of living crisis, say forecasters

EU's meteorological agency warns La Nina weather pattern makes cold, still and dry snap more likely

Europe is likely to experience a colder, drier and less windy early winter, according to forecasting models compiled by the EU's meteorological agency, as the UK energy regulator warned there is a significant risk" of gas shortages this winter.

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) cautions that predicting winter conditions are notoriously difficult" in early October. But it says a cold, still and dry snap in November and December, which would worsen the cost of living crisis, is more likely, because of this year's La Nina - a powerful weather pattern influenced by cooler temperatures in the Pacific.