How frigid polar vortex blasts are connected to global warming

Jan 31, 2019

The city skyline is seen from the North Avenue Beach at Lake Michigan, as bitter cold phenomenon called the polar vortex has descended on much of the central and eastern United States, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Pinar Istek - RC1BAA63FB30

The city skyline is seen from the North Avenue Beach at Lake Michigan Image: REUTERS/Pinar Istek

Jennifer Francis

Research Professor, Rutgers University

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Predicted near-surface air temperatures (F) for Wednesday morning, Jan. 30, 2019. Forecast by NOAA’s Global Forecast System model. Image: Pivotal Weather, CC BY-ND

Predicted near-surface air temperature differences (C) from normal, relative to 1981-2010 Image: Pivotal Weather, CC BY-ND

Dark arrows indicate rotation of the polar vortex in the Arctic; light arrows indicate the location of the polar jet stream when meanders form and cold, Arctic air dips down to mid-latitudes. Image: L.S. Gardiner/UCAR, CC BY-ND

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Predicted daily mean, near-surface temperature (C) differences from normal (relative to 1979-2000) for Jan. 28-30, 2019. Data from NOAA’s Global Forecast System model. Image: Climate Reanalyzer, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine., CC BY-ND

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