Polar Vortex Shake-Up Won’t Bring Arctic Cold to the U.S. This Month

Although the polar vortex is on the move, Americans should be safe from the surge of Arctic air that typically accompanies this movement. Read on for why meteorologists believe that the U.S. will be spared from frigid air outbreaks in November.

Polar Vortex is Weakening But Not Likely to Translate to Cold Air Invasion in the U.S.

October wrapped up on an unseasonably warm note for much of the northern half of the U.S. With the exception of Florida and the Gulf Coast, most of the East also enjoyed abnormally dry conditions for much of the month. What does November have in store? While average weather patterns would suggest that cold weather is in the immediate future, November is setting up to usher in moderate temperatures when compared to the norm this time around.

What is happening on schedule is the normal shift in the polar vortex that happens this time of year. The polar vortex is the region of strong winds that circulate near the Earth's pole. A strong polar vortex keeps the coldest air locked up over the Arctic Circle. However, the frigid air is able to escape and seep down into Canada and the U.S. when this vortex starts to weaken heading into November.

The jet stream is forecast to develop some pronounced buckles across the Northern Hemisphere over the next few weeks. This would normally allow the cold air locked up at the pole to dive to the south.

However, the air that is currently anchored over northern Canada is not as cold as it usually is by this time of the fall season. This means that there simply is not enough cold air to migrate over the border into the U.S., even if the polar vortex does show signs of weakening. Any air that does make it down from the far reaches of Canada will be mild enough to mitigate the threat of bitterly cold weather.