Polar vortex collapse: What is the phenomenon that the US and Canada are gearing up for?

A polar vortex collapse is expected to bring in harsh winter-like weather conditions in parts of Canada and the US around the middle of this month.

The same weather phenomenon impacted several regions across North America last month, leading to freezing conditions and widespread travel disruptions. According to reports, the upcoming polar vortex collapse might also affect the UK and other parts of Europe as well.

What experts say about the upcoming polar vortex collapse

"When the Polar Vortex is disrupted - whether stretched, displaced, or split - it can, but does not always, impact this polar jet stream. The timing is uncertain for North America but could see a change in the pattern for late March into early April," The Independent quoted AccuWeather’s Lead Meteorologist, Paul Pastelok, as saying.


Laura Ciastro, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has described this year's polar vortex as a “considerably stronger” one, as per CNN. She pointed out that even though the strong nature of the polar vortex would have ideally prevented a record-breaking cold, it has not been the case due to the weird shapes that it has been taking.

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What is a polar vortex?

A polar vortex is a large atmospheric region characterised by low pressure and cold air around either of the Earth's two geographical poles. Polar vortices weaken in summer and strengthen in the winter, according to the National Weather Service. The polar vortex extends from the tropopause (the imaginary line dividing the stratosphere and the troposphere) to the mesosphere (above 50 km).

Brief explanation of a polar vortex collapse

The term "vortex" refers to the counter-clockwise air pattern that helps contain the colder air near the poles. An expansion of the polar vortex in the northern hemisphere during winter months causes a flow of cold air southward, along with the polar jet stream. The phenomenon that causes the cold Artic air in the northern hemisphere to escape southward is called a polar vortex collapse. A number of factors lead to the creation of a polar vortex collapse and it is not easy to pinpoint a single cause.

This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United States, as per the NSW. Vortex collapse in the lower stratosphere typically happens around late-March or early-April. However, it can also occur as early as February or as late as early-May.

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FAQs

What is a polar vortex?
A polar vortex is a large atmospheric region characterised by low pressure and cold air around either of the Earth's two geographical poles.

What is a polar vortex collapse?
An expansion of the polar vortex in the northern hemisphere during winter months causes a flow of cold air southward, along with the polar jet stream. The phenomenon that causes the cold Artic air in the northern hemisphere to escape southward is called a polar vortex collapse.