The polar vortex might mean cold weather—but it's not clear how much snow or ice that might mean. Jaymantri/Pexels Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 ...

The polar vortex is a counterclockwise spinning area near the top of the atmosphere and usually centered near the North Pole region. This fast spinning vortex is about 50,000 feet in the atmosphere.

Although the term polar vortex may seem relatively new, it isn’t. Disruptions of the vortex were first written about by German meteorologist Richard Scherhag in 1952 — over 70 years ago.

The polar vortex is notoriously unpredictable, and so far there doesn’t seem to be clear pattern in disruptions. In the 1990s, there were almost no disruptions to it.

A polar vortex “is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles,” the NWS explains. In the Northern Hemisphere, the vortex tends to expand in the winter ...

When the polar vortex is "strong," cold air is less likely to plunge deep into North America, Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman said. The stronger the polar vortex, the milder our winter is.

In a year without much winter weather, there’s a chance of a bitter blow before spring takes hold. Experts say a disruption of the polar vortex could unleash cold, stormy conditions to the ...

When the polar vortex weakens or even splits, it allows frigid air to escape and push southward toward the USA. The stronger the polar vortex, the milder the USA's winter is.

The polar vortex can't be felt in the United States or anywhere on Earth. Brutally cold temperatures are heading to the Midwest and Northeast this week -- but don't mistake this for a polar vortex ...

We've mentioned the polar vortex several times in recent days. We've said, for instance, that it's "a low pressure system that's usually whirling around the North Pole but has weakened and come ...

Many respected scientists and news organizations say the Polar Vortex, that swirl of arctic air that swept through Canada and into the U.S. a few days ago, is a consequence of global warming. Time ...