1. Polar Vortex 14
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Paige Catizone
HCS 420
Danielle Long
“Polar Vortex, Niagara Falls 2014”
What is a Polar Vortex? A polar vortex is a large pocket of very cold air, typically
the coldest air in the Northern Hemisphere, which sits over the polar region during the
winter season. The frigid air can find its way into the United States when the polar
vortex is pushed farther south, occasionally reaching southern Canada and the northern
plains, midwest and northeastern portions of the united states.
A large, powerful high pressure system originating in the Eastern or Western
pacific and stretching to the north pole is required to displace the pocket of the cold air.
The vortex is capable to delivering subzero temperatures to the United States and
Canada for several days at a time. When the strong airs of the Eastern or Western
pacific weakens and falls apart, the polar vortex will retreat into place near the north
pole.
January 8th, 2014 in Niagara falls, over 240 million people were affected in the
United States, and southern Canada from this polar vortex.