Scott Olson/Getty ImagesCommuters make a sub-zero trek to offices in the Loop in Chicago on Monday.
It may be called a 'polar vortex,' but freezing Americans probably have more colorful expressions for this weather phenomenom.
Low temperatures across the U.S. early this year have broken records, wreaked havoc on travel and forced those braving the cold to wear countless layers of clothing.
PHOTOS: WINTER STORM HERCULES PUMMELS MAJOR U.S. CITIES
The polar vortex, referred by NBC weather icon Al Roker as a 'Polar Hurricane,' is a weather system that is usually seen in Canada, but has moved south.
'It's not rare at all,' AccuWeather senior forecaster John Gresiak told the Daily News on Monday. 'It's an upper-level low pressure system which is usually found over or near the polar regions. I would just describe it as a pool of very cold air.'
Every so often, 'the action of the jetstream' and other atmospheric factors can force the vortex south. This polar vortex will only last approximately 24 hours, Gresiak said.
'While most of the time its in northern Canada, once in a while it will drop further south, and thats what's happening right now,' he said.
RELATED: BUNDLE UP: NEW YORKERS PREPARE 9-DEGREE COLD
Vortexes can occur 'every few years to some extent' in the U.S., but the last one south of Canada this extreme took place in 1994, Gresiak said.
'It was even colder than it is now,' he said.
RELATED: EXTREME COLD WEATHER EXPECTED IN MIDWEST, NORTHEAST
dboroff@nydailynews.com
Posted by Unknown on Monday, January 6, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
0 comments "Polar vortex giving us the chills 'not rare at all'"
Post a Comment