Q&A

Geography/Current Affairs
Q. With temperatures dropping to -25C and snowfall of more than two and a half feet, the
winter of 2013-14 saw extreme weather events in north America. Explain how it happened.
A. In the Arctic, frigid air is typically trapped in a tight loop known as the polar vortex. This super-chilled
air is not only cold, it also tends to have low barometric pressure compared to the air outside the vortex.
The surrounding high-pressure zones push in on the vortex from all sides so the cold air is essentially
"fenced in" above the Arctic, where it belongs.
As the Arctic region warms faster than most other places, however, the Arctic sea ice melts more rapidly
and for longer periods each year, and is unable to replenish itself in the briefer, warmer winter season.
This can destabilize the polar vortex and raises the barometric pressure within it.
For few winter seasons ( since 2009/2010), the polar vortex was notably unstable. In addition, another
measurement of barometric pressurethe North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)was in negative mode,
weakening part of the barometric pressure "fence" around the polar vortex. This instability allows the
cold Artic air to break free and flow southward, where it collides with warmer, moisture-laden air. This
collision can produce severe winter weather in some regions and leave milder conditions in other parts
of the northern hemisphere.
(Thanks to Dr.Banerjee who covers the Arctic for the classroom students. The answer cant get any
simpler than this)