What is a polar vortex and what are the reasons for its splitting, after God's will?

Arab Weather - Weather specialists at the Arab Weather Regional Center are monitoring the latest developments regarding the warming of the stratospheric polar vortex, which is strong enough to cause a split in the polar vortex.

What is a polar vortex?

The polar vortex is a circular system of cold winds in the upper atmosphere that encircles the North Pole. This vortex acts as a barrier, preventing cold air from moving south towards temperate and warmer regions. The vortex is most intense during winter when temperatures are extremely low in the Arctic.

When the polar vortex is strong, air currents circulate tightly around the pole, keeping the cold air confined to that region. However, sometimes the vortex weakens or malfunctions, causing cold air to rush towards lower latitudes, resulting in significant temperature drops in many areas.

Stratospheric warming causes the polar vortex to split.

Weather experts at the Arab Weather Regional Center stated that, as a result of weakened westerly winds over the Arctic Circle and the descent of polar air from the upper atmosphere near the Earth's surface, stratospheric warming is occurring in the Arctic region, leading to the formation of a strong high-pressure system over the Arctic Circle. As previously mentioned, the upper-level westerly winds are responsible for containing polar air masses in the Arctic, and due to their weakness, they are unable to retain the polar air and keep it in its original location (the Arctic).

Stratospheric warming affects the polar vortex, causing changes in polar air distribution patterns, and directly impacts jet stream movement and weather patterns in various regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

What are the causes of polar vortex splitting?

In this regard, weather experts at the Arab Weather Regional Center said that as a result of the formation of an area of atmospheric pressure above the polar vortex, a splitting/division occurs in the polar vortex, as seen through the following map:

The Arab Weather Regional Center issued a detailed report through its official accounts stating the splitting of the polar vortex and its effects on the weather in the eastern Mediterranean basin region. You can view the report by clicking here.

And God knows best.