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POLAR VORTEX

CIRCUMPOLAR CIRCULATION

“Arctic fortress - spinning wall of frigid air guarding polar regions”

Formation

Strong temperature gradient around polar regions

Impact

Contains frigid air, but when disrupted causes extreme cold outbreaks

Technical specs

Wind60-200 mph

Temperature-70 to -100°F at center

RegionsArctic and Antarctic regions, occasional mid-latitude intrusions

boss level

Famous encounter

2014 North American Cold Wave - Popularized the term 'Polar Vortex'

Etymology

Latin: 'polus' (pole) + 'vertex' (whirlpool)

BLOCKING HIGHS
Weather roadblock - stationary high pressure fortress deflecting all storms
JET STREAMS
Atmospheric autobahn - high-speed wind rivers steering Earth's weather
ANTICYCLONES
High pressure dome of stability - nature's weather shield deflecting storms

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