What the Polar Vortex Means for Our Winters

While Groundhog Day is a traditional method for guessing how long winter weather will last, scientists prefer studying the polar vortex. For those unfamiliar, the polar vortex is an area of large pressure that exists in both the North and South poles. It exists 10-30 miles above Earth’s surface.

Think of the polar vortex as a tornado comprised of cold air swirling miles above the top of the Earth. This large vortex can break into two smaller vortexes when it is weakened and disrupted causing the polar jet streams to move closer towards the Equator. 

Seasonal weather patterns cause this vortex to grow and shrink, heavily influencing weather patterns for the U.S. If we can predict how the polar vortex is going to act, we may get a strong indication of the temperatures we experience in the future seasons.

What is the Polar Vortex?

In the stratosphere above each pole sits swirling cold air known as the polar vortex. The stratosphere is the second closest layer of atmosphere 10-30 above the Earth’s surface just above the troposphere. Its winds blow in a strong, constant pattern from west to east.