Encyclopedia

polar vortex

Also found in: Dictionary, Wikipedia.

polar vortex

[′pō·lər ′vȯr‚teks]
(meteorology)
The large-scale cyclonic circulation in the middle and upper troposphere centered generally in the polar regions; specifically, the vortex has two centers in the mean, one near Baffin Island and another over northeastern Siberia; the associated cyclonic wind system comprises the westerlies of middle latitudes. Also known as Antarctic vortex; circumpolar whirl; polar cyclone; polar low.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Mentioned in
References in periodicals archive
That's why some are re-labelling the "Polar Vortex" to the "Polar Coaster."
The recent polar vortex is not at odds with the overall trend of climate change; variations in weather are short-term while climate patterns are long-term, and the past four years have been the hottest on record.
This one has shattered decades-old records." class="MsoNormalPeter Kerre, a Kenyan cyber security engineer who relocated to New York City from Minneapolis in Minnesota where he had lived for more than 10 years, said despite the fact that Minneapolis has colder weather, New York City's winter storms or polar vortex are more brutal because New Yorkers do not drive.
Meteorologists have blamed a phenomenon called the polar vortex for the bitter cold that has descended on much of the central and eastern United States this week.
Cities are all but shutting down across the US Midwest as the region shivers in a deadly cold snap known as a polar vortex, BBC reports.
IF you think the UK is chilly, spare a thought for people in the USA and Canada where a polar vortex has hit, sending temperatures as low as -50.C.
If you are reading about the "Polar vortex," or experiencing it, you may, like the U.S.
The bitter cold was caused by a displacement of the polar vortex, a stream of air that normally spins around the stratosphere over the North Pole, but whose current was disrupted and was now pushing south.
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.