Polar vortex
Published on 31 Jan 2025
The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth's poles. It is predominantly found in the upper troposphere, occasionally reaching into the lower stratosphere, particularly around the poles.
Features of polar vortex
Rotation: Counter-clockwise at the North Pole and clockwise at the South Pole. Their rotation is driven by the Coriolis Effect.
Disruption of the Polar Vortex: In some instances, the polar vortex can weaken which may lead to the displacement of extremely cold air from the Polar Regions toward lower latitudes, causing severe winter weather events.
Extreme cold events: Disruptions in the polar vortex have been associated with cold outbreaks in regions like North America, Europe, and Asia. This has led to extremely low temperatures, sometimes referred to as polar vortex outbreaks.
Protection from arctic cold air: A stronger or more potent polar vortex act as a protective barrier for the mid-latitudes protecting them from cold Arctic air.
Sudden stratospheric warming: Disruption or weakening of polar vortex abruptly warm the stratosphere in just a few days, and this event is known as sudden stratospheric warming far above the Earth’s surface.
Types of polar vortex
Factors influencing polar vortex
Season: Polar low-pressure area is at its highest during the winter and it’s lowest during the summer.
Volcanic eruption: In the event of a volcanic eruption, a polar vortex will be further strengthened and it can stay that way for up to two years after the initial eruption
Climate phenomena: Climate phenomena related to the La Nina will significantly strengthen a polar low-pressure.
Cyclones: There will be a single vortex when the Arctic Vortex is elongated in shape with two cyclone centers
Impacts of formation of polar vortex
Global warming: It is believed that many global warming issues are caused due to polar Vortex.
Cold temperature extremes: Polar vortex, linked to frigid air, causes severe cold outbreaks in the northern hemisphere. Weakening can result in southward movement, impacting regions unaccustomed to such temperatures.
Ozone depletion: Chemical makeup of the Antarctic polar low-pressure has led to severe ozone depletion. The nitric acid in the stratospheric clouds reacts with chlorofluorocarbons to form chlorine which further accelerates the destruction of the ozone layer.
Jet stream disturbances: Weakened vortex can lead to a meandering or weakened jet stream, impacting temperature and precipitation patterns.