The polar vortex is aloft and the flow around it traps the surface cold air in it’s whirlpool. The polar vortex is the “delivery engine” of the surface cold air from the high latitudes of the northern hemisphere. What is the difference between a polar vortex and cold air? Pictured below, 3D polar vortex simulation from the Journal of Atmospheric Sciences “Uncovering the Edge of the Polar Vortex” by Serra et. To learn more about polar vortexes, check out this article. As taught in physics – for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” “In a general sense,” explains Mark “it gets forced south by a mid-latitude ridge pushing pole-ward and displace the vortex southward. ” A polar vortex is not a new event, but rather a more popularized term for what meteorologists used to refer to as “polar air masses” or “arctic outbreaks.” The ability to collaborate with colleagues through real-time screen sharing on your weather dashboardĮarth Networks Senior Meteorologist, Julie Gaddy, and Earth Networks Chief Meteorologist, Mark Hoekzema, defined a polar vortex as “ a low pressure area that is present over the poles throughout the year.The most advanced foresight of potential weather-caused disruptions. With our severe weather tracking solutions, you’ll access: a polar vortex, arctic chills, and below freezing temperatures. Earth Networks’ severe weather tracking solutions can help counties, cities, and organizations stay prepared with short-term forecast updates and detailed warnings that can help protect you from the dangerous effects of severe weather, i.e. Preparedness for severe weather is essential in order to mitigate injury, damages, and even death. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was enlisted to help coordinate disaster relief efforts for those impacted by the severe weather. Satellite data published by NASA showed just how severe the extent of the power outages was in Texas, leading to statewide blackouts.Īs a result of the severe winter storm weather, President Joe Biden declared an emergency in Texas. The result included winter snowstorms and below freezing temperatures in a state that in not accustomed to such a climate, with temperatures 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit below average. The state saw its coldest temperatures in more than 30 years.Īccording to the United States National Weather Service (NWS), this happened because of an “arctic outbreak” hailing from the US-Canada border. For a state known for its arid plains and hot weather, this was rather unexpected. The end of February saw some unusual weather for Texas, with locals facing extreme cold temperatures, power outages, loss of heat, and lots of snow. The Extreme Cold Weather in Texas, United States This is when very cold – often dangerous – temperatures occur. Occasionally, an active winter jet stream becomes amplified and a pocket of cold air can move north to south into the lower latitudes of the northern hemisphere. Typically, the southern extent of the vortex goes no further than 40 to 50 degrees latitude and typically stays north of the U.S. Pictured above, a glimpse of the chilling arctic temperatures that occurred on February 16th, 2021 at 8:41:55 AM EST, taken from our Earth Networks’ Sferic Maps. Significant weather, including rain, snow, and thunderstorms, form on the front as the cold air lifts the warmer, moister air upwards. Another way to think of a cold front is as the dividing line between an advancing cold air mass – which is cold and dense – and the warmer air mass it replaces. We call it a vortex because of the counterclockwise flow of air that traps the cold air close to the pole.Ī cold front is the boundary of an advancing mass of cold air rotating around the counterclockwise flow of a low pressure system. What Is A Polar Vortex? | Basic Polar Vortex FactsĪ polar vortex is a low pressure area and pool of cold air that is present over the poles throughout the year. Polar Vortexes and Severe Weather Safety □ Keep Scrolling to BEGIN Reading □ In this polar vortex guide, we will cover the following topics: Throughout this guide we will cover Polar Vortex and Arctic Chill topics such as polar vortex basics, freezing temperatures, extreme cold, cold weather safety, and more. What Is A Polar Vortex? | The 2021 Arctic Chill Felt Throughout the CountryĪlthough we are approaching Spring, this winter season was a doozy, especially for Texas.
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