The Polar Vortex is upon us! It’s colder in North Dakota than it is in Antarctica! Never mind that it’s summer in Antarctica right now! According to the NOAA, one of the most useful (and therefore least-funded) federal government agencies out there, a polar vortex is an area of low pressure—a wide expanse of swirling cold air—that is parked in polar regions. The one up north (i.e., at the North Pole where Santa lives) can cause some pretty wild weather and sub-zero temperatures in the United States. But it’s not a new thing—this low-pressure system is almost always up there.
The breaking off of part of the vortex is what defines a polar vortex event. But it actually occurs when the vortex is weaker, not stronger. That might sound weird—but it actually makes sense. Normally, when the vortex is strong and healthy, it helps keep a current of air known as the jet stream traveling around the globe in a pretty circular path. This current keeps the cold air up north and the warm air down south.
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It’s important to remember that not all cold weather is the result of the polar vortex. While the polar vortex is always hanging out up north, it normally minds its own business. It takes pretty unusual conditions for it to weaken or for it to migrate far south, and other things can cause cold arctic air to travel our way, too.
“What is a Polar Vortex?” – SciJinks.gov
The more you know! Speaking of knowing things, UNITED SOCCER LINKS:
- Morgan Hackworth, first begotten son of John Hackworth, has taken his talents to Memphis. I’m sure Lance McGarvey will love that. I’m also sure that I’ll never forgive LeBron James for bringing the phrase “taking my talents” to the popular English lexicon.
- Indy loaded up again, signing 2018 Best XI player Thomas Enevoldsen yesterday.
- Nicholas Murray did a nice profile piece on your favorite USL announcer, Mike Watts.
