The Polar Vortex: What It Is and Why It May Bring Cold to Europe
Listen to the story
A large mass of cold air and wind called the polar vortex circles high above the North Pole every winter. When it is strong, it usually keeps cold air trapped in the Arctic. When it weakens, cold air can spread further south, sometimes reaching Europe.
Meteorologists are now reporting that the polar vortex has become weaker than usual. This has raised questions about whether a wave of extremely cold weather could reach Europe in the coming weeks.
News reports suggest that a record collapse of the vortex could be possible, which has also led people in Ticino, Switzerland, to ask whether their region might see an unusually cold spell.
However, experts caution that a weak polar vortex does not guarantee a cold outbreak. Even though the vortex is currently unstable, this does not necessarily mean that November will bring freezing temperatures across the continent.
The connection between the polar vortex and surface weather is complex, and forecasters are still monitoring how the situation develops. Other factors, such as atmospheric pressure patterns, also play a role in determining whether cold air actually reaches Europe.
For now, meteorological services are watching the vortex closely and have not confirmed that a major cold wave is certain. People across Europe, including in Switzerland, are advised to wait for further updates before expecting a sharp drop in temperatures.
Vocabulary10 words
- polar vortex
- a huge circle of cold air and wind above the North Pole
- meteorologists
- scientists who study and predict the weather
- record collapse
- a very big and unusual breakdown, bigger than before
- cold outbreak
- a sudden period when cold air spreads to new areas
- forecasters
- people who predict what the weather will be
- atmospheric pressure
- the force of air pushing down, which affects weather
- trapped
- kept in one place and unable to move away
- unstable
- not steady; likely to change suddenly
- spell
- a short period of a certain kind of weather
- guarantee
- to promise that something will definitely happen
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Quiz
Answer key
1. It keeps cold air trapped in the Arctic 2. They are asking if their region could get unusually cold 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A large mass of cold air and wind called the _____ circles high above the North Pole every winter.
When it is strong, it usually keeps cold air _____ in the Arctic.
When it weakens, cold air can spread further _____, sometimes reaching Europe.
_____ are now reporting that the polar vortex has become weaker than usual.
News reports suggest that a record _____ of the vortex could be possible.
This has led people in Ticino, Switzerland, to ask whether their region might see an unusually cold _____.
Experts caution that a weak polar vortex does not _____ a cold outbreak.
This does not necessarily mean that November will bring _____ temperatures across the continent.
The connection between the polar vortex and surface weather is _____.
Other factors, such as _____ pressure patterns, also play a role.
Discussion questions
- What is the polar vortex, and how does it affect weather in Europe?
- Why do you think experts are cautious about predicting a cold wave?
- Have you ever experienced an unusually cold winter? What was it like?
- How useful do you find long-range weather forecasts in your daily life?
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