A blast of Arctic air from Canada has brought the season’s coldest weather to most of the United States. The system, known as a polar vortex, is forecast to bring subzero temperatures to the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and deep into the South.
And it looks as we may get more arctic blasts in the coming years.
Outbreaks from the Arctic will persist throughout the Northern Hemisphere in the upcoming decades, even as the region is warming more quickly than the rest of the world, according to a study published in Environmental Research: Climate.
Strong wind gusts are expected from Montana to Nebraska this week, according to Accuweather. The freezing temperatures will move eastward, reaching major cities like Philadelphia, where daytime highs will reach only the upper teens.
How the stratosphere influences Earth’s surface climate
The polar vortex is a gigantic circular upper-air weather pattern in the Arctic that envelops the North Pole. It’s a normal pattern that is stronger in the winter and tends to keep the coldest weather bottled up near the North Pole.
The jet stream typically acts as a barrier to keep the polar vortex contained near the Arctic, but at times, some of the vortex can break off or move south, bringing unusually cold weather into the U.S., Europe and Asia.
The image below show how the influence of climate change from as far away as the mid-latitudes can trigger an outbreak of Arctic air over the United States weeks to months later.
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The polar vortex and jet stream are both extending southward into the US
NOAA’s Global Forecasting System model predicted the Jan. 16 polar vortex would shift south of the tropospheric jet stream over North America, with the stretched polar vortex corresponding to the shift.
More:Freeze alert: Arctic blast will bring coldest air of the season from Dallas to Boston
Where is the stratosphere?
Let’s examine the atmosphere’s structure. The troposphere, which extends up about 6 miles from the Earth’s surface, is the first layer of the atmosphere. The majority of our weather occurs here. The layer of the atmosphere that lies between 6 and 31 miles above the surface is known as the stratosphere. The polar vortex is within the stratosphere.
Because of the lack of sunlight, both the Earth’s poles have substantially cooler temperatures than the equator. This means the air at the poles gets extremely cold and dense, which causes a powerful jet stream to emerge in the stratosphere and blow the cold air from west to east. This strong circulation is known as a polar vortex.
CONTRIBUTING Anthony Robledo
SOURCE NOAA, Climate.gov, NASA and Royal Meteorological SocietyThis story was updated to add new information.
The recent polar vortex has brought dangerously cold temperatures to the majority of the US, with many regions experiencing record-breaking lows. From the Midwest to the East Coast, millions of people are facing frigid conditions that pose a serious threat to their health and safety.
As the polar vortex grips the nation, experts are urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves from the extreme cold. This includes staying indoors as much as possible, dressing in layers, and avoiding prolonged exposure to the elements. Homeless shelters are working overtime to provide warmth and shelter to those in need, while emergency responders are on high alert for cases of hypothermia and frostbite.
The polar vortex serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for extreme weather events. As we hunker down and weather the storm, let’s remember to check on our neighbors, especially the elderly and vulnerable, and lend a helping hand whenever possible.
Stay safe and stay warm, everyone. And remember, this too shall pass. #PolarVortex #ExtremeCold #StaySafe
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