ALERT: Warning over 'weather collapse' that could plunge Ireland into deep freeze

An Irish weather forecast has expressed major concern over a weather "tipping point" that could plunge Ireland and Europe into a deep freeze.

Cathal Nolan from Ireland's Weather Channel was reacting as he noted "further evidence continues to emerge that the AMOC, a critical mechanism in the wider thermohaline circulation, is approaching a tipping point."

He added that a subsequent collapse of the currents would plunge northwestern Europe into a "centuries long deep freeze similar to the Younger Dryas period, while adding significant warming to parts of the southern hemisphere."

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is a complex system of ocean currents, including the Gulf Stream, which carries heat from the warmer regions to the north and so is critically important to living conditions in the Arctic.

"The most recent research, from a soon to be published paper, demonstrates that previous IPCC models have undervalued the risk of an AMOC collapse and as such, these climate models are downplaying the immediate threat of passing this climate tipping point," Cathal explained.

"As previously stated, the last time this occurred, was a period known as the Younger Dryas, when glaciers once again became established across Ireland, sea ice packed the coast of Ireland during the winter, storminess increased, annual winter temperatures were similar to the present day interior of Iceland, and our summers were warmer, albeit much shorter than we currently enjoy," Cathal added.

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"Ireland needs to start considering the implications of such a collapse, which some scientists believe could happen as soon as 2025, with a median chance of this collapsing by 2050.

"Policies should focus on how to adapt and mitigate against the worst of these conditions and SHOULDN’T focus on implementing unfair taxes and punitive measures which will impact those least responsible for causing anthropogenic climate change and who are least capable of paying such taxes.

"As a qualified climate scientist, with no vested interests or conspiratorial financing, this issue is what causes me the greatest concern. Society as we know it in Ireland wouldn’t be able to function in its current form," he concluded.