What happens during a polar vortex?

CLEVELAND — The temperature outside was so cold that your fingers, toes, nose and cheeks felt like they were burning. A harsh Arctic cold wave brought record-breaking temperatures to the United States during late January 2019. The city of Chicago experienced temperatures that dropped to –23 degrees Fahrenheit! That was colder than some areas of Antarctica at the time. The Midwest experienced an epic deep freeze which damaged railroad tracks, closed thousands of schools and put 90 million people at risk from dangerous wind chill temperatures below -50 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme weather caused the deaths of many people from hypothermia and traffic accidents from dangerous, icy road conditions. Meteorologists identified something called the Polar Vortex as the main cause of the situation.  

High above the North Pole, about 10 to 30 miles above Earth’s surface, sits a massive whirlpool of icy air known as the polar vortex. Think of it as a giant spinning top of frigid air trapped by strong winds in the stratosphere. The Arctic region keeps its cold air in motion through a circular pattern which looks like a winter storm system. Most of the time, this “top” spins perfectly, keeping the coldest air contained to regions near the North Pole. But occasionally, the perfect spin gets interrupted. The polar vortex becomes unstable when high-altitude winds experience either a reduction in strength or a change in direction which causes the vortex to split into separate cold Arctic air masses that move toward the south. The United States, Canada and European regions experience sudden extreme cold temperatures during this time.  

Scientists believe several factors can cause the polar vortex to wobble or weaken. A major player in this process is called “sudden stratospheric warming.” This phenomenon creates rapid temperature increases in the high Arctic region that breaks down the vortex flow. When this happens, pieces of that cold air mass at the surface escape southward, diving into lower latitudes. The result? Temperatures can plunge 30 to 50 degrees below normal for days or even weeks. These events don’t happen every winter, but they occur roughly every one to three years. The consequences of these events reach from the Great Plains to the East Coast of the United States and extend into European territory. The length of time a polar vortex outbreak persists varies greatly. The polar vortex will continue to send cold air southward for a period of one to two weeks after its weakening. The coldest weather conditions exist for only a few days but they create long-lasting effects which include frozen pipes, power outages and travel disruptions.  

If you hear that the polar vortex is coming, you should expect to experience cold! The arrival of Arctic air brings changes to all aspects of daily existence. Energy bills skyrocket as heaters run nonstop. Cars refuse to start, and water pipes burst in unheated homes. Flights are delayed or canceled, snarling travel across the country. Schools and businesses shut down while emergency shelters reach their maximum capacity. The risk of frostbite becomes immediate for people who work outside such as utility crews and postal workers.  

The polar vortex is a meteorological phenomenon which challenges both infrastructure systems and emergency readiness plus, at times, human survival capabilities.  

The arrival of Arctic air requires basic preparation to maintain safety and warmth. So, everyone must prepare for the approaching deep freeze. Stay informed about weather conditions by checking reports from reliable sources and National Weather Service alerts for real-time weather updates and forecast timing. Protect your home. Let faucets drip slightly to prevent frozen pipes. Insulate exposed plumbing and seal any drafts around doors or windows. People should dress in multiple layers to protect their skin and cover all exposed areas with hats, gloves and waterproof boots for outdoor activities. Also, make sure to check on others. Elderly neighbors, children, and pets are the most vulnerable to extreme cold. Maintain your vehicle by filling your gas tank to at least half full. Store emergency supplies in your car including blankets, water and a kit for unexpected situations.  

In summary, the polar vortex is a large pocket of extremely cold air that normally sits over the North Pole. The jet stream occasionally becomes unstable which allows cold Arctic air to move southward and create dangerous cold waves in North America and Europe. These events occur at unpredictable times and can last for multiple weeks. These events create major disruptions and often lead to new record low temperatures. Brrrrr…