All weather systems
“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)