Polar Vortex

The polar vortex is circulation of strong, upper-level winds that normally surround the northern pole in a counter clockwise direction a polar low pressure system. It may located near either of a planet’s geographical poles. On Earth, the polar vortices are located in the middle and upper troposphere and the stratosphere.  The polar vortex can lead to major cold air outbreaks in any portion of the Northern Hemisphere—North America, Europe and Asia. This will lead to cold snaps in multiple locations, though not always.