A sudden surge of heat in the stratosphere can freeze the world below
Massive atmospheric waves can cause stratospheric temperatures to skyrocket by 50 degrees Celsius in days, triggering a chain reaction that sends freezing arctic air plunging toward the equator.
Sudden stratospheric warmings act like atmospheric earthquakes, where massive planetary waves up to 24,000 kilometers long surge upward from the lower atmosphere. This energy transfer can heat the stratosphere by 50 degrees Celsius in just a few days, effectively reversing the high-altitude winds.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraph · plus a 2-question quiz