Polar Vortex Disruption Could Begin Within 24 Hours
The polar vortex, a band of strong winds circling the North Pole, is currently weak and may face a major disruption within the next 24 hours or a week later, according to the FOX Forecast Center. This phenomenon occurs when atmospheric waves from the lower atmosphere disrupt the vortex, potentially weakening, displacing, or splitting its circulation. While disruptions can lead to Arctic air spilling southward, immediate cold weather impacts are unlikely. Forecast models suggest above-average temperatures across much of the U.S. through December, influenced by a strong Pacific jet stream and Super El Niño conditions. Any significant cold air outbreaks may take weeks to develop and are more likely toward late November or December.
