Polar vortex

A large-scale circulation of strong westerly winds surrounding a planet’s polar region, strongest in its winter atmosphere. On Earth, the term commonly describes the stratospheric circulation over the Arctic and Antarctic.

Polar night jet: A strong wintertime westerly wind band in the stratosphere that encircles a pole. This jet forms the vortex’s core circulation in the winter stratosphere.
Stratosphere: The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, extending roughly from 10 to 50 kilometers above Earth. The best-known polar vortex occupies this layer during winter.
Arctic oscillation: A pattern of atmospheric pressure variation between the Arctic and northern midlatitudes. Its phases often track changes in the strength of the Arctic circulation and midlatitude winds.
Arctic vortex: The winter circulation of strong winds around the Arctic in Earth’s upper atmosphere. This is the Northern Hemisphere instance commonly invoked in winter-weather reports.
Stratospheric polar vortex: The winter stratospheric circulation of strong winds around a planet’s pole. This is the stratospheric feature most often meant by Earth’s polar vortex.
Troposphere: The lowest atmospheric layer, where most weather and clouds occur. A distinct tropospheric vortex circulates below the better-known stratospheric one.
North Atlantic Oscillation: A fluctuation in atmospheric pressure between the subtropical Atlantic and the Arctic. Vortex-related circulation changes can influence this pattern and North Atlantic winter weather.
Antarctic vortex: The winter circulation of strong winds around Antarctica, especially in the stratosphere. Its persistence and isolation distinguish it from the more variable Arctic vortex.
Sudden stratospheric warming: A rapid rise in polar stratospheric temperature accompanied by major changes in atmospheric circulation. These events can weaken or reverse the vortex’s westerly winds.
Atmospheric circulation: The large-scale movement of air that redistributes heat and moisture around a planet. The polar vortex is one regional component of planetary atmospheric circulation.

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