polar vortex

American  

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

noun

• polar vortices,
  plural
• polar vortexes
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• polar vortexes
  plural
• polar vortices
  plural

Etymology

Origin of polar vortex

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polar vortex

In the months since, the polar vortex has been stuck in a cycle of stretching, snapping back, and stretching again, contributing to the bone-chilling temperatures.

From Slate ● Feb. 25, 2026

And probably all the snow: Recent research by Cohen found that polar vortex stretches align with the heaviest and deepest snowfalls.

From Slate ● Feb. 25, 2026

Some experts contend climate change could influence the behaviour of the polar vortex due to changes in sea surfaces temperatures in our warming world.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

At times, big atmospheric waves that form closer to the ground can travel upward and knock the polar vortex out of whack.

From Barron's ● Jan. 22, 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