Polar vortex forming over North Pole: What it means for winter 2023/24

Polar vortex forming over North Pole: What it means for winter 2023/24

As the winter season of 2023/2024 approaches, a newly forming Polar Vortex is drawing attention in the Stratosphere over the North Pole. Its rapid intensification could lead to significant weather impacts for parts of North America and Europe.

Stratospheric temperature rise signals weakened polar vortex and Arctic air outbreaks in the northern hemisphere

Stratospheric temperature rise signals weakened polar vortex and Arctic air outbreaks in the northern hemisphere

The polar vortex, a large area of low pressure in the upper atmosphere that typically sits over the poles, is set to weaken as a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event unfolds in the northern hemisphere. This event has the potential to have a significant impact on winter weather, as it allows cold Arctic air to escape and cause outbreaks in Europe, Asia, Canada, and the United States.

Europe braces for significant continent-wide cold outbreak

Europe braces for significant continent-wide cold outbreak

After the Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event at the beginning of January 2021 and the Polar Vortex collapse, weather patterns across the northern hemisphere became very dynamic and progressive. This has set the stage for a potentially quite significant cold…

Winter cold extremes linked to high-altitude polar vortex weakening

Winter cold extremes linked to high-altitude polar vortex weakening

Over the last decades, the stratospheric polar vortex has shifted towards more frequent weak states which can explain Eurasian cooling trends in boreal winter in the era of Arctic amplification. When the strong winds that circle the Arctic slacken, cold polar air…

More bursts of frigid air as Arctic polar vortex shifts

More bursts of frigid air as Arctic polar vortex shifts

A new research suggests that North America will experience more outbursts of frigid air in February and March as the wintertime Arctic stratospheric polar vortex continues its persistent shift toward the Eurasian continent. For parts of Europe and Asia, it would…

Polar vortex behind U.S. big chill explained

Polar vortex behind U.S. big chill explained

The chilling weather phenomenon that hit much of the U.S. in January is explained by scientist Eric Fetzer using data from NASA's AIRS instrument. 

This movie of temperature observations from NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on

Arctic blast hits Canada and USA

Arctic blast hits Canada and USA

"Polar vortex" takes aim on United States with dangerous life-threatening temperatures. National Weather Service warned that much of the US will see coldest temperatures in about 20 years as an arctic cold front descends.

A fresh blast of arctic air