All articles tagged with #polar vortex
A historically strong polar vortex and a record-breaking El Niño are shaping the 2026 winter outlook, with most forecasters expecting milder temperatures for much of the United States despite risks of cold outbreaks if the vortex weakens.
Scientists report that Saturn’s south polar vortex hosts a decagon-shaped pattern, a ten-sided figure distinct from the north pole’s hexagon. Based on observations summarized in Science Advances, the decagon is likely caused by a meandering atmospheric wave rather than a jet stream, offering a striking example of fluid dynamics on a gas giant.
A newly formed ten-sided jet around Saturn’s south pole has been confirmed by Hubble, a decagon Cassini never captured during its 13-year mission. The polygon appears to have formed after 2017 as Saturn’s long seasons brought the pole into view, and it strengthens near a southern anticyclone, suggesting the shape is actively forming rather than a long-lived relic.
Forecasters project a Super El Niño-driven split-flow winter (Dec–Feb) across North America and Europe, with a strong Pacific jet creating a milder, wetter southern pattern while Canada and parts of the U.S. stay relatively warm; snowfall is likely highest in the Sierra Nevada, Rockies, and parts of the East, but lighter across the Pacific Northwest and northern Europe. A possible mid-winter Polar Vortex weakening could allow cold incursions, but the El Niño signal dominates according to ECMWF and NMME multi-model forecasts.
A forecast of a very strong El Niño suggests it could interact with the Arctic polar vortex to alter U.S. winter patterns, potentially bringing wetter conditions to the South, less snow for the Great Lakes and Northeast, and increasing the chance of stratospheric warming events; however, regional impacts remain uncertain as scientists study the exact teleconnections.
Saturn’s north-pole hexagon is a persistent, six-sided wave in a fast eastward jet surrounding a central cyclone—visible for decades and spanning about 30,000 km. Not a solid boundary, it’s a pattern in the atmosphere that survives Saturn’s seasons, likely a vertically trapped Rossby-wave in a deep jet; Cassini and Voyager data confirm its longevity and vertical reach into the stratosphere. Scientists still debate why the sixfold pattern persists, how deep the wave runs, and why the south pole lacks a similar hexagon, with laboratory rotating-fluid experiments offering a partial explanation but not a complete theory.
Forecasters warn of a rare, multi-system weather assault across the U.S.: a Southwest heat dome could push triple‑digit heat, a polar-vortex chill will dip temperatures into the Midwest and East, two back‑to‑back snowstorms including a potential bomb cyclone may slam the northern tier and Great Lakes, and Hawaii faces heavy rain from an atmospheric river while the jet stream—linked to Arctic warming—drives extreme swings. Some areas could see record highs while others endure record lows as spring approaches.
Trump claims the winter storm proves global warming is a hoax, but scientists say the event arises from Arctic air meeting warmer, moister air and may be connected to Arctic warming and polar-vortex disruptions; a single storm isn’t evidence against long-term warming, as US winters have warmed overall and snow patterns are shifting, even as the storm threatens millions with icy roads and outages.
A massive Arctic air blast, driven by a Polar Vortex, is forecast to bring heavy snow and freezing rain to about 30 states and around 160 million people, starting in Texas and New Mexico and sweeping east to major cities like Memphis, Nashville, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York. Some interior plains could see sub-40°F wind chills and temperatures plunge far below freezing; snowfall could exceed 12 inches in some areas. The storm threatens travel disruptions, power outages, and tree damage, and several states have declared emergencies as cold air persists into next week.
With wind chills forecast to dip to -45F, Minnesota faces the possibility of statewide school closures—rare in modern times, though not unprecedented during the 2019 polar vortex. Typically, wind chills around -35F prompt closures; last year saw many districts cancel in-person classes or switch to online learning when wind chills ranged from -35F to -45F. Minnesota’s cold history includes multi-year extreme winters in the 1990s and the record-breaking -60F in Tower in 1996, underscoring why these decisions hinge on district policies and emergency powers.
A stretched polar vortex is funneling Arctic air into the United States, setting the stage for a significant winter blast with very cold temperatures and potential snow across parts of the Midwest and Northeast as the pattern unfolds.
An Arctic outbreak driven by a wobbling polar vortex and a fading La Niña setup could spark a weekend winter storm from Texas to the Carolinas, with heavy snow, sleet, and significant icing possible; New England may see only a northern fringe with bitter cold and subzero wind chills through the weekend.
A triple-dip polar vortex is expected to bring frigid Arctic air to much of the central and eastern US over the coming weeks, causing significant cold surges, snow, and increased energy demands, with temperatures potentially dropping below -25°F in some areas.
Scientists have discovered a surge in ozone levels within Mars's north polar vortex, which is much colder than surrounding areas and may provide insights into the planet's past atmospheric conditions and potential habitability. This finding is significant for upcoming missions like ExoMars, aiming to explore signs of ancient life, and highlights the unique atmospheric phenomena on Mars that could reshape our understanding of the planet.
Recent unprecedented temperature surges in Antarctica, linked to collapsing stratospheric currents and a slowing polar vortex, are accelerating ice melt, disrupting ecosystems, and impacting global climate patterns, highlighting urgent need for international action on climate change.