What Are Polar Vortices and Why Are They Happening?
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
With copious amounts of snow falling recently and even more to come, people have been wondering what is causing this unusual cold weather phenomenon. The term “polar vortex” has been thrown around a lot and has been especially popular on sites like TikTok, but what is it, and why is it happening now?
A polar vortex is a large, swirling system of extremely cold air that hovers over the North and South Poles. It reaches its peak strength during winter and is typically held in place by the jet stream, a fast-moving air current that helps keep it contained. This barrier prevents the frigid air from spreading to lower latitudes, keeping it confined near the poles. But, when the jet stream weakens, the polar vortex can become unstable, allowing icy Arctic air to pour down into warmer regions like the United States. This can lead to sudden drops in temperature, intense cold snaps, and severe winter storms. Scientists believe that the weakening of the jet stream is connected to climate change and global warming.
Currently, the Arctic is warming at a much faster pace than the rest of the planet, a phenomenon known as global warming. This rapid increase in temperature is reducing the temperature difference between the cold polar regions and the warmer areas further south. Since the jet stream relies on this temperature difference to remain strong and stable, the diminishing gap is causing it to weaken and become more erratic. When this occurs, it becomes easier for cold Arctic air to break free and move into regions that typically experience milder winters.
If Arctic temperatures continue to rise at this rate, the jet stream will become almost nonexistent, pouring freezing air directly into warmer regions. This cold weather serves as a reminder that global warming does not just raise temperatures—it is altering how our planet functions and we are unprepared. The U.S. is not equipped to handle such extreme weather; roads, power grids, and other infrastructure are not designed to withstand these variations. For example, during a cold snap in Texas in 2021, millions of people lost power because the state’s grid could not handle the extreme weather. Events like this show the importance of investing in systems capable of withstanding the extreme cold.
Atlanta accumulated 2.1 inches of snow earlier this month causing the entire city to shut down. The city’s residents were vastly unprepared and unfamiliar with the snow with a large number of people getting stuck on the roads or even in their own houses. The city took advantage of the break from work and school, coming together in places like Piedmont Park to enjoy the first real snowfall in years. While the snow is a sign of our planet's problems that we will have to deal with in the future, it's nice to know that people will always make the best of it.
By Gavin Morrissey