A major disruption of the Arctic polar vortex is poised to trigger a prolonged period of severe winter conditions in parts of North America and Europe in the coming weeks, forecasters warn.
The polar vortex, a region of cold, low-pressure air above the Arctic Circle, is expected to completely collapse due to the effects of the dramatic “sudden stratospheric warming” that occurred in early February.
Sudden stratospheric warming occurs when the temperature in the stratosphere is significantly elevated.
In the United States, more than 177 million people, from the Northeast to the Mid-Atlantic, have been affected by this trend.
Disruption of the vortex structure allows the jet stream to become more wavy, dipping further south, which tends to transport cold air masses from the Arctic region toward populated areas, increasing the threat of heavy snow, ice, and cold spells.
Experts are warning of similar forecasts for European regions including the UK, saying the collapse could lead to a “prolonged release of cold air” across the continent in February.
This could cause frost, snow and a prolonged period of below average temperatures.
Exact timelines and severity level remain uncertain at this time, as ground-level weather details depend on complex atmospheric interactions.
