Britain faces FREEZING winters as slump in solar activity threatens 'little Ice Age' Solar output plunging to levels not seen in centuries – mini “Ice Age”

BRITAIN could face colder than average winters with a plunge in solar activity threatening a new “little ice age” in the next few decades. Climate experts warn the amount of light and warmth released by the sun is nose-diving to levels “not seen for centuries.” They fear a repeat of the so-called ‘Maunder Minimum’ which triggered Arctic winter whiteouts and led to the River Thames freezing 300 years ago. The Met Office-led study warns although the effect will be offset by recent global warming, Britain faces years of unusually cold winters. A spokesman said: “A return to low solar activity not seen for centuries could increase the chances of cold winters in Europe and eastern parts of the United States but wouldn’t halt global warming. Return of ‘grand solar minimum’ could affect European and eastern US winters.”

Long episodes of low solar activity were seen during the Maunder Minimum between 1645 and 1715 and the ‘Dalton Minimum’ from 1790 to 1830. Both periods coincided with colder-than-normal global temperatures earning the title from scientists of “Little Ice Age.” The latest study, published in Nature Communications, found reduced solar activity will lead to an overall cooling of the Earth of 0.1C. A much bigger cooling effect is expected for Britain, northern Europe and North America where thermometers could drop by 0.8C. Amanda Maycock, of the University of Cambridge and National Centre for Atmospheric Science, said: “It’s important that we consider the potential impact of changes in UV output when looking at future climate.”

Met Office scientist and lead author Sarah Ineson, said: “This research shows that the regional impacts of a grand solar minimum are likely to be larger than the global effect. This study shows that the sun isn’t going to save us from global warming, but it could have impacts at a regional level that should be factored in to decisions about adapting to climate change for the decades to come.” Met Office long-range expert professor Adam Scaife said solar activity has already started to decline over the past few years. He said: “Although the effect on global temperatures is very small, the local effect is big enough to make a difference and we need to include that in our future climate projections.” –Express UK