The polar vortex behaves like a very large cyclone and spans the northern hemisphere
Washington, USA17 Sept. 2023, 00:40 215352 read 3 comments
A new polar vortex is forming over the North Pole, which is rapidly strengthening, and with the arrival of winter, the strengthening will continue.
The polar vortex has long affected winter weather in the US, Canada and Europe, especially if it begins to descend. It reflects the strength of the stratospheric polar circulation and in winter it matters whether it is strong or weak because it creates a completely different meteorological result at the surface.
Namely, as autumn approaches, the polar regions begin to cool because less solar energy reaches the North Pole. However, while temperatures drop in the polar regions, the atmosphere is still relatively warm in the south. This creates a temperature difference between the polar and subtropical regions, causing a large low-pressure cyclonic circulation to develop in the Northern Hemisphere and extend from the surface layers into the atmosphere. This is known as a polar vortex, writes the “Severe Weather Europe” portal.
A big cyclone
The polar vortex behaves like a very large cyclone and covers the northern hemisphere, or rather the part from the north pole to the lower latitudes. It is present at all atmospheric levels and can take different forms at different altitudes.
This vortex makes the difference between a very cold and snowy winter or a warm and dry winter. Therefore, a strong polar vortex usually means a strong polar circulation that keeps colder air in the polar regions. This creates milder conditions for much of the US and Europe, meaning that the winter may be warmer than average.
Cold weather is coming
Stratospheric cooling usually begins in August and increases in September and October, while the coldest period is reached in November and December when the polar vortex is strongest.
As it cools, the polar vortex becomes stronger because it is favored by the difference in temperature and pressure between the polar and southern regions of the northern hemisphere, writes Severe Weather Europe.
Translation: BLIC
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2023-09-17 10:27:10
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