polar vortex

[ poh-ler vawr-teks ]

noun

, plural po·lar vor·ti·ces [poh, -ler , vawr, -t, uh, -seez] po·lar vor·tex·es

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polar vortex¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Scientists are still analyzing the nexus between polar vortex events and climate change.

From Axios

The polar vortex is a zone of cold air that normally spins like a top high above the North Pole.

From Popular-Science

At 32 degrees F—hardly a polar vortex—we saw the estimated driving range shrink from 270 miles to 208 miles.

From Popular-Science

A blob of warm air high in the atmosphere has pushed the polar vortex off its axis over the past week.

From Popular-Science

The problem is that climate models completely disagree as to whether the polar vortex strengthens or weakens in the future.

From Popular-Science

She would leave every day of shooting during the polar vortex just grinning from ear-to-ear.

From The Daily Beast

Undeterred by the crippling polar vortex that's left heaps of snow lying unceremoniously at every turn.

From The Daily Beast