What is the Polar Vortex? - National Weather Service
The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. It ALWAYS exists near the poles, but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter. The term "vortex" refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles.
The polar vortex is acting up - NOAA Climate.gov
Jan 16, 2024 · The latest forecast says a major disruption of the polar vortex is on its way, but the stratosphere has been acting up for a while. Our bloggers explain what it might mean for U.S. weather.
Understanding the Arctic polar vortex - NOAA Climate.gov
Mar 5, 2021 · Polar vortex expert Amy Butler and Arctic expert James Overland offer perspectives on the February cold snap in the southern U.S., the polar vortex, and how the Arctic might influence mid-latitude weather.
Another blast of Arctic air: this time, with a stretched but strong ...
Jan 16, 2025 · The polar vortex strength, as measured by the speed of the winds around the 60N latitude circle and 10 hPa pressure level, remains stronger than average, and is currently forecast by most models to return to near-record strong wind speeds into early February.
Polar vortex maps show where arctic blast is set to freeze the U.S.
Jan 17, 2025 · A polar vortex dipping down from Siberia is bringing a cold front with frigid temperatures to millions Americans. See maps of the arctic blast.
A polar vortex is descending on the U.S. What does that mean?
Jan 17, 2025 · People living "basically anywhere from the Rockies eastward will see below-normal temperatures over the next several days," said Zack Taylor, a meteorologist with the National Weather...
Watch How Arctic Air Blanketed the U.S. Last Week
Dec 31, 2022 · The animation above depicts the weather system’s bone-chilling journey across the country as the spinning expanse of Arctic air known as the polar vortex bulged south before righting itself...
A polar vortex is set to grip much of the U.S. What does that mean?
Jan 17, 2025 · These conditions are all thanks to a familiar sounding occurrence: the polar vortex, a large area of low pressure and cold air that surrounds the Earth's poles. The "vortex" is the...
January 19-24, 2025: Multiday Cold Spell Featuring Sub-Zero ...
Overview. Almost one year to the date of another brutal cold snap (January 14-17, 2024), a portion of the Polar Vortex delivered bitterly cold conditions to broad swaths of the continental U.S. for several consecutive days.The "Polar Vortex" simply refers to a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles which is always present during the winter.
What to know about winter storm hitting North America
Jan 6, 2025 · The extreme weather is being caused by the polar vortex, an area of cold air that circulates around the Arctic. ... are under weather alerts, the National Weather Service (NWS) said. ...