Winters are often harsh – sudden drop in temperatures, wind chills, dry skin, flu season, and so on and so forth. Every few years, the temperature really drops and people will start talking about how it is the worst winter in X amount of years. Been there, done that. However, once in a while, the weather really drops and it truly is one of the worst winters that people have seen in a while. The winter of 2018-2019 is one such winter. It was just cold during most of the winter, but then the Polar Vortex hit, and the Northern Hemisphere was left reeling.
What exactly is the Polar Vortex?
The Polar Vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air that exists at the poles, both North Pole and South Pole. The cold air circulates in a counter-clockwise manner, hence the name ‘vortex.’ The vortex is ever present, but it tends to strengthen in the winters, with some winter being really strong, and weakens in the summer. When the vortex strengths, it tends to get larger and push the cold air outward. This isn’t really an issue on the Southern Pole, as no countries are close enough to Antarctica to experience this. It is a different matter for the Northern Pole however.
When the Polar Vortex at the North Pole strengths it tends to push the cold air downward toward the nearer Countries, such as Canada, USA, Russia, and Northern Europe. The closer the country is to the pole, the worse is the cold air that they get. When this happens, the countries tend to face lower temperatures, worse wind chills, and an overall worse winter.
The Polar Vortex has been really bad in early 2019. How bad exactly? Here are some pictures to show:
1. Cold temperatures as a result of Polar Vortex 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtRy4wJlgEv/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=j3wk05fmknfc
2. Its so cold that boiling water is freezing at it hits the air
3. Boiling Water all around
4. Its so cold that rivers are frozen
5. Even Bubbles were frozen…BUBBLES!
6. Toilets were being frozen rock solid…indoors
7. Even pants weren’t safe, yup Pants…
8. In fact, Pants were trying out for Gymnastics!
Hey Polar Vortex, you may freeze my @JusticeForGirl pants but you’ll never kill their style #FrozenJustice #SisterhoodOfTheFrozenPants #PolarVortex #MNnice #BoldNorth #Negative50 #WinterFun #PerfectLanding pic.twitter.com/7s9Lro7Lpx
— Danika Brinda (@DanikaBrinda) January 31, 2019
9. The food also wanted in on the fun…
10. How cold is it? Ask my hair.
“Is Iowa really THAT cold?” pic.twitter.com/htxSZzy2QB
— Taylor Scallon (@taylor_scallon) January 31, 2019
Though it’s great to have fun, it is even better to be safe out there. So far, 21 people have died due to the cold temperatures thanks to Polar Vortex 2019. So, remember to be safe and cover up. Or better yet, stay indoors. There is a ton of fun to be had inside. And the cold temperatures will be increasing soon, so Spring is just around the corner, with its warmer climate, flower buds growing, allergies starting, bugs arriving… ah good times.
