When the polar vortex unleashes Arctic blasts
When the polar vortex weakens, it can unleash extreme Arctic cold into mid-latitude regions, causing severe weather disruptions and highlighting the interconnectedness of global climate systems.
The polar vortex, a swirling mass of frigid air usually contained at the poles, sometimes weakens or shifts. This allows massive volumes of Arctic air to plunge southward into mid-latitude regions like the central U.S. and Europe, causing sudden, severe cold snaps. For example, a 2019 event brought -60°F wind chills to parts of the Midwest, affecting millions.
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