Plugged In – video podcast

El Niño and the Polar Vortex - the key weather drivers for Q4

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September 24, 2026

With European gas storage levels relatively low, periods of cold temperatures, weak wind or low rainfall could have an outsized impact on gas and power prices.

In this episode of Plugged In, we look at the key weather patterns to watch in the months ahead and what they could mean for Europe’s energy system.

How could El Niño shape the European winter? Could a weakening polar vortex raise the risk of colder weather later in the season? And what happens to power markets when high demand coincides with low wind and solar generation?

We also examine the importance of rainfall and snowpack for hydropower, the growing exposure of European markets to weather-driven volatility, and how energy companies are increasingly hedging against temperature, wind and precipitation risks.

Host: Richard Sverrisson – Editor-in-Chief, Montel News

Guests:

Julia Demirdag – Germany Correspondent, Montel News

Mark Stephens-Row – Client Engagement Manager EMEA and Asia, AtmosphericG2

Pierre Buisson – Head Weather & Agro, Munich Re

Rebecca McManus – Renewables Lead, European Energy Market, Aurora

Editor: Alexandra Carlon

Producer: Alexandra Carlon

#EnergyMarkets #EuropeanEnergy #Weather #PowerMarkets #GasMarkets #Renewables #ElNino #Dunkelflaute #Hydropower