Gallery: 'Polar vortex' hits northern USA

Related Story: States of emergency declared as storm hits eastern US Related Story: Snowstorm slams north-eastern United States

Map:  United States


A polar vortex dropped over the United States and Canada on Monday, bringing life-threatening freezing temperatures to large parts of North America.

Meteorologists predicted the lowest temperatures in two decades in some areas of the country, with the mercury at -37 degrees Celsius in the US city of Milwaukee.

Icy roads and snow storms created travel chaos, with thousands of flights cancelled or delayed.

The north-eastern US has endured heavy snow and deadly freezing conditions since the start of the year, and the extreme cold has claimed about a dozen lives nationwide.


What is a polar vortex?
Arctic air is normally penned in over the Arctic by a powerful circular wind called the polar vortex.
The bitter chill gripping North America is a result of Arctic air that has spilled southwards.
When the vortex weakens, the air starts heading southwards, bringing exceptional snow and chill to middle latitudes.
The polar vortex is the driven by the difference in air temperature between the Arctic and mid latitudes.
AFP


"The coldest weather in years will be making its presence known from the Upper Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region for the beginning of the work week," the National Weather Service said.

Wind chill warnings were in effect from Montana to as far south as Tennessee and Alabama, with temperatures feeling as cold as -45C, it said, describing the conditions as "life threatening".

On the East Coast, a brief lull in the deep freeze greeted commuters on Monday, but temperatures were expected to drop overnight (local time).

In Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan, officials warned residents to stay indoors and urged schools to shut down.

"Police are reaching out to homeless citizens in order to help them find the nearest shelter," city spokeswoman Sarah DeRoo said.

All schools were closed in Minnesota. In Cook County in Illinois, which includes Chicago, warming centres were opened for anyone suffering, including those whose home heating did not work.

"This winter storm will be one for the record books, and we want to make sure everyone stays safe and warm until it passes," Illinois state governor Pat Quinn said.

Looks like Global Warming just suffered a little setback ;)

This cold interlude probably won't mask the rising temperature trend as past cold snaps have not.

This is what was predicted by global warming theory. Disruption of weather patterns and increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

Exactly as global warming theorists predict.

Your head is in the sand and your South end badly exposed.

.






The very fact that the northern hemisphere has suffered such COLD winters for the last decade - but average annual temperatures are STILL breaking "record after record - year after year" on the top end of the scale - indicates the problem of global warming and climate change is OBVIOUSLY WORSE than it first appears i

are those ships still stuck tight in melting ice????? just asking.

at least we know the yanks wont be cooked alive like the good folk in Sydney will be.. RB.. ;D ;D ;D ;D

one blessing..dont recall any of the PROPHETS of DOOM predicting  this vortex though..do you?

Yes Cods, its a summer evening here in the Blue Mountains and I'm sitting here with a jumper and track suit pants on..definitely global warming at work! ;)

buzzanddidj wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 4:51pm:

. The very fact that the northern hemisphere has suffered such COLD winters for the last decade - but average annual temperatures are STILL breaking "record after record - year after year" on the top end of the scale - indicates

........that somebody is fudging the figures.... ;D

Swagman wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 7:43pm:

buzzanddidj wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 4:51pm: . The very fact that the northern hemisphere has suffered such COLD winters for the last decade - but average annual temperatures are STILL breaking "record after record - year after year" on the top end of the scale - indicates ........that somebody is fudging the figures.... ;D

Did someone say figure fudgers..... ;)

Anyone interested in real temperature data, you know, not the homogonised fraud from the AGW loons. Take a look at the link below at the true temperature data

Original Temperatures: Summary
http://hidethedecline.eu/pages/posts/original-temperatures-summary-279.php

Original Temperatures: Introduction
http://hidethedecline.eu/pages/posts/original-temperatures-introduction-267.php

The rest at
http://hidethedecline.eu/

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2014/01/06/the-original-temperatures-project

red baron wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 3:44pm:

Looks like Global Warming just suffered a little setback ;)

Disciples of the Climate Church will tell you this is weather, not climate.

Ask them to explain in detail why "30 years" is used as the arbitrary number to define 'climate', and they'll run for the hills.

They have no answers, just faith.


http://toryardvaark.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/climate-church.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4gCjpPAc_8

All Gore's Top 10 Idiotic Quotes

Swagman wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 7:43pm:

buzzanddidj wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 4:51pm: . The very fact that the northern hemisphere has suffered such COLD winters for the last decade - but average annual temperatures are STILL breaking "record after record - year after year" on the top end of the scale - indicates ........that somebody is fudging the figures.... ;D

... as part of a carefully co-ordinated plan between the governments of the world ( ... Australia and Canada excluded) , every weather bureau in the world, 96% of the world's highest authorities on climate, our own CSIRO - and NASA - ...

... all in the name of bringing the industrial world to its knees - clearing the path for ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT



The plan was the brain-child of the Illuminati - and is managed by the Freemasons

it_is_the_light wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 9:05pm:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4gCjpPAc_8 All Gore's Top 10 Idiotic Quotes

Quite funny....so was the reporter confusing the Arctic for the ANTarctic.

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 8:50pm:

red baron wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 3:44pm: Looks like Global Warming just suffered a little setback ;) Disciples of the Climate Church will tell you this is weather, not climate. Ask them to explain in detail why "30 years" is used as the arbitrary number to define 'climate', and they'll run for the hills. They have no answers, just faith.

Quote:

Climate is a measure of the average meteorological variables in a given region over long periods of time. Climate is different than weather, in that weather only describes the short-term conditions of these variables in a given region. Climate (from Ancient Greek klima, meaning inclination) is commonly defined as the weather averaged over a long period. The standard averaging period is 30 years, but other periods may be used depending on the purpose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate

And of course the climate change deniers cherry pick the time periods they want to get the answers they want

red baron wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 6:22pm:

Yes Cods, its a summer evening here in the Blue Mountains and I'm sitting here with a jumper and track suit pants on..definitely global warming at work! ;)

have a friend down Near Warrnambool.Vic said she has her fire going.. the wind is freezing.. it is January isnt it?  lol.. but dont tell the DOOM AND GLOOM mob..we did have a couple of really hot day in ACT over 30..that was probably CLIMATE today much nice 25 I think we call that weather...

Im not sure anymore.. but its back to the blanket on the bed at night...and as far as I know we are nowhere near the northern hemisphere.

I still say its Mother Nature taking the pizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The_Barnacle wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 9:39pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 8:50pm: red baron wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 3:44pm: Looks like Global Warming just suffered a little setback ;) Disciples of the Climate Church will tell you this is weather, not climate. Ask them to explain in detail why "30 years" is used as the arbitrary number to define 'climate', and they'll run for the hills. They have no answers, just faith. Quote: Climate is a measure of the average meteorological variables in a given region over long periods of time. Climate is different than weather, in that weather only describes the short-term conditions of these variables in a given region. Climate (from Ancient Greek klima, meaning inclination) is commonly defined as the weather averaged over a long period. The standard averaging period is 30 years, but other periods may be used depending on the purpose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate And of course the climate change deniers cherry pick the time periods they want to get the answers they want

and the Gospel of the "DOOM AND GLOOM  CLIMATE CHANGE BRIGADE" doesnt selectively pick  who they believe ... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  right!

.








https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BdPeeuMCQAEB7b8.png






Polar Vortex - for DUMMIES !






Researchers told Climate Central that the weather pattern driving the extreme cold into the U.S. — with a weaker polar vortex moving around the Arctic like a slowing spinning top, eventually falling over and blowing open the door to the Arctic freezer — fits with other recently observed instances of unusual fall and wintertime jet stream configurations.

Such weather patterns, which can feature relatively mild conditions in the Arctic at the same time dangerously cold conditions exist in vast parts of the lower 48, may be tied to the rapid warming and loss of sea ice in the Arctic due, in part, to manmade climate change.

Arctic warming is altering the heat balance between the North Pole and the equator, which is what drives the strong current of upper level winds in the northern hemisphere commonly known as the jet stream. Some studies show that if that balance is altered then some types of extreme weather events become more likely to occur.

During the past week, while much of North America has seen frigid temperatures, weather maps show a strip of orange and red hues, indicating above-average temperatures, across parts of the Arctic, Scandinavia, Europe and Asia.





( ... if you kept up with THAT, try a bit MORE)


http://www.climatecentral.org/news/polar-vortex-in-u.s.-may-be-valid-example-of-global-warming-16927

buzzanddidj wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 10:25pm:

. https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BdPeeuMCQAEB7b8.png Polar Vortex - for DUMMIES ! Researchers told Climate Central that the weather pattern driving the extreme cold into the U.S. — with a weaker polar vortex moving around the Arctic like a slowing spinning top, eventually falling over and blowing open the door to the Arctic freezer — fits with other recently observed instances of unusual fall and wintertime jet stream configurations. Such weather patterns, which can feature relatively mild conditions in the Arctic at the same time dangerously cold conditions exist in vast parts of the lower 48, may be tied to the rapid warming and loss of sea ice in the Arctic due, in part, to manmade climate change. Arctic warming is altering the heat balance between the North Pole and the equator, which is what drives the strong current of upper level winds in the northern hemisphere commonly known as the jet stream. Some studies show that if that balance is altered then some types of extreme weather events become more likely to occur. During the past week, while much of North America has seen frigid temperatures, weather maps show a strip of orange and red hues, indicating above-average temperatures, across parts of the Arctic, Scandinavia, Europe and Asia. ( ... if you kept up with THAT, try a bit MORE) http://www.climatecentral.org/news/polar-vortex-in-u.s.-may-be-valid-example-of-global-warming-16927

MAY. In other words, we dont know, but we will throw in MAY be related to our AGW loon hypothesis

This may help you
The interplanetary magnetic field influences mid-latitude surface atmospheric pressure


In particular, it affects the structure of the Rossby wavefield, which is key in determining the trajectory of storm tracks [24]. The configuration of the North Atlantic jet stream is particularly susceptible to changes in forcing [25]. In turn, so are the location and the timing of blocking events in this region, in which vortices are shed from the jet stream leading to prolonged periods of low or of high pressure [26]. It has also been proposed that the low-frequency variability of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) arises as a result of variations in the occurrence of upper-level Rossby wavebreaking events over the North Atlantic [27]. The NAO itself is key to climate variability over the Atlantic–European sector stretching from the east coast of the United States to Siberia, and the Arctic to the subtropical Atlantic [28, 25].

Our results may therefore provide part of the explanation for previously observed correlations between Eurasian winter temperatures and solar variability [29, 30], and for the 'Wilcox effect' where reductions in the areas of high vorticity in winter storms are seen at times of solar wind heliospheric current sheet crossings [31] (which are characterized by sharp changes between steady, opposite IMF By states).

Received 5 June 2013, accepted for publication 18 September 2013
Published 4 October 2013
http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/8/4/045001/article


Its the SUN stupid

Meteorologists predicted the lowest temperatures in two decades in some areas of the country, with the mercury at -37 degrees Celsius in the US city of Milwaukee.



Must be really bad if temps were colder decades ago???

progressiveslol wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 10:52pm:

buzzanddidj wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 10:25pm: . Polar Vortex - for DUMMIES ! Researchers told Climate Central that the weather pattern driving the extreme cold into the U.S. — with a weaker polar vortex moving around the Arctic like a slowing spinning top, eventually falling over and blowing open the door to the Arctic freezer — fits with other recently observed instances of unusual fall and wintertime jet stream configurations. Such weather patterns, which can feature relatively mild conditions in the Arctic at the same time dangerously cold conditions exist in vast parts of the lower 48, may be tied to the rapid warming and loss of sea ice in the Arctic due, in part, to manmade climate change. Arctic warming is altering the heat balance between the North Pole and the equator, which is what drives the strong current of upper level winds in the northern hemisphere commonly known as the jet stream. Some studies show that if that balance is altered then some types of extreme weather events become more likely to occur. During the past week, while much of North America has seen frigid temperatures, weather maps show a strip of orange and red hues, indicating above-average temperatures, across parts of the Arctic, Scandinavia, Europe and Asia. ( ... if you kept up with THAT, try a bit MORE) http://www.climatecentral.org/news/polar-vortex-in-u.s.-may-be-valid-example-of-global-warming-16927 Its the SUN stupid

WHAT !


It's gone OUT ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaqVyWXFGAc

S0 News January 7, 2014: Polar Vortex SPLITS, Solar Flare Uptick

cods wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 9:42pm:

red baron wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 6:22pm: Yes Cods, its a summer evening here in the Blue Mountains and I'm sitting here with a jumper and track suit pants on..definitely global warming at work! ;) have a friend down Near Warrnambool.Vic said she has her fire going.. the wind is freezing.. it is January isnt it?  lol.. but dont tell the DOOM AND GLOOM mob..we did have a couple of really hot day in ACT over 30..that was probably CLIMATE today much nice 25 I think we call that weather... Im not sure anymore.. but its back to the blanket on the bed at night...and as far as I know we are nowhere near the northern hemisphere. I still say its Mother Nature taking the pizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I can vouch for your friend cods as I live in Warrnambool itself...

its been some years since the weather has been this cold at this time of year but not entirely unusual...

you'll get a string of years like this whereby its cool all the way into December and January.. then other years will be warmer.. it seems to be just the normal weather cycle that it goes through every 20 to 30 years...

some years we laugh at all of the holiday makers because its to cool through most of the school holidays and then when they all leave the sun comes out...

I had the heater going over the weekend...  :(

http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae269/oldpom/WIN_20140105_130217.jpg

woof woof wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 10:55pm:

Meteorologists predicted the lowest temperatures in two decades in some areas of the country, with the mercury at -37 degrees Celsius in the US city of Milwaukee. Must be really bad if temps were colder decades ago???

but you'll see all of these eco loons all over the forums saying that they predicted this extreme cold weather...

but look back in history, and its nothing new... we've had it all before... we've had big cold spells, we've had bid warm spells, we've always had bush fires and floods, typhoons and cyclones... always..

its just the way of the world and nothing has changed although the eco loons tell you its all doom and gloom...

SO GIVE US ECO LOONS ALL OF YOUR MONEY BEFORE WE GO OVER THE

"TIPPING POINT"

LOOK OUT LOOK OUT... WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE

"TIPPING POINT"

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Swagman wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 7:43pm:

buzzanddidj wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 4:51pm: . The very fact that the northern hemisphere has suffered such COLD winters for the last decade - but average annual temperatures are STILL breaking "record after record - year after year" on the top end of the scale - indicates ........that somebody is fudging the figures.... ;D

Public relations say what?

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 8:50pm:

red baron wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 3:44pm: Looks like Global Warming just suffered a little setback ;) Disciples of the Climate Church will tell you this is weather, not climate. Ask them to explain in detail why "30 years" is used as the arbitrary number to define 'climate', and they'll run for the hills. They have no answers, just faith. http://toryardvaark.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/climate-church.jpg

Buggerising the kids for stock market gain is not productivity and the lie cannot live!  :-?

cods wrote on Jan 7^th, 2014 at 9:45pm:

The_Barnacle wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 9:39pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 8:50pm: red baron wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 3:44pm: Looks like Global Warming just suffered a little setback ;) Disciples of the Climate Church will tell you this is weather, not climate. Ask them to explain in detail why "30 years" is used as the arbitrary number to define 'climate', and they'll run for the hills. They have no answers, just faith. Quote: Climate is a measure of the average meteorological variables in a given region over long periods of time. Climate is different than weather, in that weather only describes the short-term conditions of these variables in a given region. Climate (from Ancient Greek klima, meaning inclination) is commonly defined as the weather averaged over a long period. The standard averaging period is 30 years, but other periods may be used depending on the purpose http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate And of course the climate change deniers cherry pick the time periods they want to get the answers they want and the Gospel of the "DOOM AND GLOOM  CLIMATE CHANGE BRIGADE" doesnt selectively pick  who they believe ... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  right!

Cods lol  :o

True Blue... wrote on Jan 8^th, 2014 at 6:47am:

woof woof wrote on Jan 7th, 2014 at 10:55pm: Meteorologists predicted the lowest temperatures in two decades in some areas of the country, with the mercury at -37 degrees Celsius in the US city of Milwaukee. Must be really bad if temps were colder decades ago??? but you'll see all of these eco loons all over the forums saying that they predicted this extreme cold weather... but look back in history, and its nothing new... we've had it all before... we've had big cold spells, we've had bid warm spells, we've always had bush fires and floods, typhoons and cyclones... always.. its just the way of the world and nothing has changed although the eco loons tell you its all doom and gloom... SO GIVE US ECO LOONS ALL OF YOUR MONEY BEFORE WE GO OVER THE "TIPPING POINT" LOOK OUT LOOK OUT... WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE "TIPPING POINT" :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Vested public relations say what?