Understanding the Polar Vortex: How Arctic Air Impacts U.S. Winters
• The polar vortex is a persistent low-pressure system with frigid air over Earth’s poles, intensifying in winter.
• When the polar vortex dips southward, Arctic air surges into the U.S., causing extreme cold outbreaks.
• While a natural pattern, the polar vortex's behavior can be influenced by climate change, impacting winter weather.
Polar vortex: cold air around Earth’s poles
The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. It always exists, but it 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. Many times during winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with it. This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United States.
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