Polar vortex is ‘spinning backwards’ above Arctic after major reversal event | Live Science
The polar vortex circling the Arctic is swirling in the wrong direction after surprise warming in the upper atmosphere triggered a major reversal event earlier this month. It is one of the most extreme atmospheric U-turns seen in recent memory.
In the past, disruptions to the polar vortex a rotating mass of cold air that circles the Arctic have triggered extremely cold weather and storms across large parts of the U.S..
The current change in the vortex’s direction probably won’t lead to a similar “big freeze.” But the sudden switch-up has caused a record-breaking “ozone spike” above the North Pole.
Weird.