polar vortex

American  

[poh-ler vawr-teks] / ˈpoʊ lər ˈvɔr tɛks /

noun

plural

polar vortices, polar vortexes

1. a whirling mass of very cold air that sits over the North or South Pole.

   A displaced polar vortex is causing Arctic temperatures across the United States.

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Etymology

Origin of polar vortex

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Weather impacts from a polar vortex split tend to be delayed for about two weeks, so that puts us at roughly three weeks from now.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

As the days get longer, the sun gets stronger, and the temperatures rise—also weakening the polar vortex.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

Some research suggests climate change could be playing a role in disruptions to the polar vortex -- a vast region of cold, low-pressure air that normally circulates high above the Arctic.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

The polar vortex - a ring of strong westerly winds that form above the Arctic every winter containing a pool of very cold air - led to the powerful storm, according to weather experts.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

"A weaker-than-normal polar vortex this past August helped keep temperatures above average and likely contributed to a smaller ozone hole," said Ciasto.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025