If your winter feels like it's dragging on with unexpected cold, you might be experiencing the effects of a polar vortex. But it's not just a single storm; you'll learn it's a normal atmospheric pattern that sometimes dips south with dramatic consequences.
The phrase 'polar vortex' often trends when extreme cold hits populated areas, especially outside typical winter months.
While the polar vortex is a constant feature, it only becomes newsworthy when its strong, stable circulation weakens or shifts.