What is the polar vortex that has brought bitter cold to the southern U.S.?

Why in the NEWS?

• The polar vortex is bringing sub-zero temperatures to some of the southernmost parts of the US, with snowfall expected in parts of Texas and Oklahoma, while communities in Louisiana and Florida could face bitter cold.

Key Points:

• The polar vortex of extremely cold air usually circles around the North Pole, but it sometimes plunges south into the US, Europe and Asia, causing drastic changes in weather across the country.
• An Arctic storm east of the US Rocky Mountains over the weekend led to hundreds of car accidents, thousands of flight cancellations and communities having to set up warming shelters.

What will you read next in this topic?

• Polar Vortex and its Effects
• Areas affected by the polar vortex

Polar Vortex and its Effects

• The Polar Vortex is a massive cold air current that normally hovers around the North Pole.
• It is a large area of ​​extremely cold and heavy air that is located near the Arctic region.
• The polar vortex is a normal part of the Earth's weather pattern, but sometimes it spreads out of its normal area and reaches other parts of North America, Europe, or Asia, causing a sharp drop in temperature there.

Key elements of the polar vortex:

• Air flow:
  • Usually the polar vortex is located near the North Pole and forms a circle of cold, dense air.
  • When this vortex spreads out of its position, it brings cold winds and snowfall, especially in the North American and European continents.
• Drop in Temperature:
  • The effect of the polar vortex causes the temperature to drop well below zero, and snowfall and cold winds also intensify in some areas during the cold season.
• Occurrence and effects:
  • Usually, the polar vortex only stays in the Arctic region, but sometimes it moves south and causes a sharp drop in temperatures in North America, Europe, or Asia.
  • When it moves south, it causes snowfall, blizzards, and extreme cold.
• Climatic changes:
  • Experts believe that it is happening more frequently due to global warming and climate change. 
  • As the Earth's temperature rises, the polar vortex's position also becomes more unstable.

Effects of the polar vortex:

• Cold and snowfall: 
  • When this vortex moves out of its normal area, it causes cold and snowfall, making roads dangerous and creating travel obstacles.
• Energy crisis: 
  • Extreme cold can lead to an increase in energy demand due to the drop in temperature, which can cause problems in power supply.
• Impact on agriculture: 
  • Snowfall and cold winds are also harmful to agriculture, especially in areas where crops are affected due to cold weather.

Areas affected by the polar vortex

• The areas affected by the polar vortex are usually the places that are affected by the cold and chilly weather of the Northern Hemisphere, especially when it spreads out of its normal region. 
• When the polar vortex moves out of the area around the North Pole, it affects not only the Arctic but also parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.

North America

• United States of America:
  • The effects of the polar vortex are especially seen in the northern and mid-western states such as Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
  • Here, heavy drops in temperature and snowfall are experienced.
  • Southern states such as Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas are also sometimes affected by the effects of the polar vortex, where snowfall and cold conditions occur.
• Canada:
  • The northern parts of Canada, especially Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and Ontario, experience extreme cold and snowfall due to the polar vortex.

Europe

• The effects of the polar vortex affect many countries in northern Europe, including Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Belgium.
• These countries experience cold weather with snowfall and storms, especially when the polar vortex spreads southward.
• The United Kingdom and Ireland also sometimes come under the influence of the polar vortex, causing snowfall and a drop in temperature.

Asia

• The northern parts of Russia and Mongolia and some parts of China are affected by the effects of the polar vortex. Cold winds and snowfall are seen here.
• Some areas of Japan, especially Hokkaido and areas near the sea, are affected by snowfall and cold air flow.

Antarctica

• Although Antarctica is not the main region of the polar vortex, cold winds originating in the Antarctic region can sometimes come into contact with the polar vortex and cool the temperature even further.