Weakening Polar Vortex Could Bring Cooler Temps to the East

It may only be October, but the polar vortex is already starting to wake up from its summer slumber. How does this vortex of cold air impact the winter season in North America? Read on for the details and what its emergence may mean in the weeks and months to come.

Understanding the Specifics of the Polar Vortex

The polar vortex is the term used to describe the giant circular mass of cold air that typically circulates high in the atmosphere over the North Pole. This vortex is the strongest during the winter months. The frigid air mass weakens or may even disappear completely during the summer. Its strength and its position drive when and where Arctic air can slip into the U.S.

Many people mistakenly believe that an intrusion of a polar vortex simply means a cold snap. However, the vortex is not the only weather element that can send bitterly cold temperatures into the U.S. In fact, an active and strong polar vortex actually serves to keep the coldest temperatures entrenched over the North Pole and away from North America.

A stronger polar vortex typically results in a milder winter for the U.S. This is because a stable vortex makes it more difficult for the coldest temperatures to sneak into the U.S. and Canada, as the cold air remains over the poles. Conversely, a weaker polar vortex generally means colder temperatures across the board for North America as a wobble in the jet stream paves the way for frigid air to spill southward.