Starting off 2024, it was easy to see all around the world how the planet’s weather patterns are changing and creating record breaking catastrophic events. A couple of these weather pattern anomalies are the polar vortex and el niño. These occur for different reasons and at different times. When they happen at the same time they cause weather changes that are more turbulent and drastic.
Cold air pushes down from the north and bends into a weakened jetstream. As it eventually pushes through, it brings polar temperatures and winds into the southern plains and southern states of the United States. This means that places like Florida and Texas in their winter season are seeing temperatures as low as 10, 20, and 30 degrees when they are used to 50, and 60 degree winters.
Polar Vortex is a mass of circulating air that builds up into the stratosphere in the Arctic Circle ranging from 0 to 40 Below.
When the Polar Night Jet Jetstream weakens it doesn’t keep the air circulating in the north. It buckles into the weaken jetstream heading south in waves and is hard to predict. This cold air is allowed to push down into the whole country. It not only affects the whole US, but other countries around the world as well extreme cold weather events. This starts in July August gains Strengthens ifrom Sept – Dec and peaks in January and February.
El Niño occurs when temperatures in the Southern Eastern Ocean start to rise above normal. It effects weather patterns and climates in the region and effects the global climate as it sends warm into the north. The stronger the El Niño effect the more chances the polar vortex will break up because the heat weakens the jet stream keeping it in the Polar Cap.
Their Combined Effects are very intense blizzards and extreme cold weather. They don’t both occur at the same time, however when they do, their combination is a chance for record breaking cold weather in the US and different parts of the world.
Below you will find videos with detailed information to help you have a better understanding of exactly what these weather anomalies are and when to expect them.