The Polar Vortex: What It Is and Why It May Bring Cold to Europe
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The polar vortex is a big area of cold air and wind. It is high above the North Pole. It spins fast in winter. Sometimes it gets weak. This can change the weather in Europe.
Right now, the polar vortex is weak. Weather experts say it could be weak for a while. A weak polar vortex can let cold air move south. This can bring very cold weather to Europe.
But a weak polar vortex does not always mean cold weather. Experts say it does not promise a cold snap in November. The weather could still change.
People in Switzerland are also asking about this. They want to know if Ticino will get very cold weather too. For now, no one knows for sure.
Scientists will keep watching the polar vortex. They will look for signs of a big cold wave. People should wait for more news before they plan for cold weather.
Vocabulary15 words
- polar vortex
- a big circle of cold wind high in the sky near the North Pole
- cold snap
- a short time when the weather gets very cold
- weather experts
- people who study and explain the weather
- spins
- turns around and around
- weak
- not strong
- cold wave
- a long time of very cold weather
- North Pole
- the most northern point on Earth
- experts
- people who know a lot about something
- signs
- small clues that show something may happen
- plan
- to think ahead and get ready
- promise
- to say something will happen for sure
- weather
- the state of the sky, like rain, sun, or cold
- move south
- go toward warmer places
- watching
- looking at something closely
- news
- new information about something
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Quiz
Answer key
1. A big area of cold air and wind near the North Pole 2. Cold air can move south to Europe 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The polar vortex is a big area of _____ air and wind.
It is high above the _____ Pole.
It _____ fast in winter.
Sometimes it gets _____.
This can change the _____ in Europe.
Right now, the polar vortex is _____.
A weak polar vortex can let cold air move _____.
This can bring very cold weather to _____.
Experts say it does not _____ a cold snap in November.
People in Switzerland are asking if _____ will get cold too.
Scientists will keep _____ the polar vortex.
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