The ‘polar vortex’ is in the forecast. Again. Here’s what it means.

Washington Post ^ | January 25, 2019

[SMGFan]

Temperatures forecast to drop well below zero in the Midwest next week — as cold as around minus-30. The only phenomenon frigid enough to generate that kind of chill is the polar vortex, of which you have heard but might not fully understand.

There are not one but two polar vortexes in each hemisphere, North and South. One exists in the lowest layer of the atmosphere, the troposphere, which is where we live and where the weather happens. The other exists in the second-lowest, called the stratosphere, which is a shroud of thin air that gets warmer at higher altitudes.

If the two polar vortexes line up just right, the Lower 48 can find itself in a very deep freeze.

[SMGFan]

Next Wednesday / Thursday morning will be unbelievably cold

[dp0622]

The Washington Post is a vortex.

Interesting article though.

[MarMema]

This time of year we routinely get -20 to -40.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Al Gore will keep me warm. I have an Al Gore furnace from all the hot air he blows.

[rktman]

What does it mean. Hmmmmm... owowowowowow I know. Al gore is within a thousand miles? Tell me I’m right.

[brownsfan]

If you’re cold, it’s due to Goebbels Warming.

[Fresh Wind]

The Washington Post is a vortex.

Yeah, just like when I flush my toilet.

[Lazamataz]

Goebbels Warming.

Brilliant.

Stealing.

[Behind the Blue Wall]

They’re forcing people to go without heat in Quebec. The “renewables-only” energy supply is not quite up to the task.

[HP8753]

Translation: Winter finally arrived.

[Larry Lucido]

unbelievably cold

That word.

[sparklite2]

My area of Florida is forecast to get down into the twenties. No joy.

[facedown]

Goebbels Warming

[SMGFan]

to a great degree; extremely.

[pfflier]

When I was stationed in Montana (Malmstrom AFB) we used to call the “polar vortex”...winter.

[gov_bean_ counter]

11 degree low in Huntsville, Al.

[dainbramaged]

I noticed the Weather Channel giving names to winter storms recently, like they do hurricanes - unless it’s NOAA or some other agency doing it.

[MeganC]

“Next Wednesday / Thursday morning will be unbelievably cold”

That’s all because of Global Warming. It’s so hot and that’s why it’s so cold.

See????

[grania]

The weather has been really unpleasant this week and next week is supposed to be worse. It’s a real long stretch without much of a break. (metro Cleveland)

[gov_bean_ counter]

It’s TWC. Don’t think NOAA is excited about it.