Polar Vortex
2013/2014
By: Rachel Parrish
College of Education and Human Ecology
Overview:
• What exactly is the
“polar vortex?”
• What caused the
“polar vortex” in the
U.S.?
• What damages did
the “polar vortex”
cause to the U.S. and
to education?
• Is it possible that the
“polar vortex” will
happen again?
What exactly is the “polar vortex?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=6KEkSfgHJNk
Polar Vortex: definition
• “bowl of soup” or “distorted donut” that sits atop
the Artic
• High altitude, low pressure system of FRIGID air
Polar Vortex: definition
• Completely
normal
phenomena
for the Artic
Circle… so
what
happened last
winter?
Polar Vortex 2013-2014
• The “bowl of soup” got bumped!
• Particularly wavy jet stream: the Eastern U.S. got
caught in a trough; potentially due to climate change
Polar Vortex in the U.S.
• Decreased Arctic winds caused “spillage”
– Negative polar oscillation: when winds weaken
• Air loses pressure and begins to flow
downward…and into Ohio!
Damages across the U.S.
• 20,000 flights cancelled: loss between $50 and
$200 million
• Insurance companies: $1.4 billion
• Estimated $5 billion in total damages (bursting
water pipes, flooding, etc.)
• 21 deaths: mostly from car accidents
• Agricultural damages
• Not any current long term estimates
Damage to Ohio’s Education System
• Disruption to schools, buses, and learning
• Over 56” of snow accumulated over the
winter (Columbus); 84.8” in Toledo
• Gov. Kasich granted 5 extra snow days to all
schools
• Ohio State: closed for 2 consecutive days for
the first time in 38 years
Polar Vortex: Could it happen again?
Absolutely!!!
Summary
• The Polar Vortex: normal occurrence above
the Artic; “bowl of soup”
• Climate change and a wavy jet stream caused
an unseasonably cold American winter
• Polar Vortex 2014 caused much damage
across the U.S, including the education system
• Polar Vortex could happen again this winter,
so watch out!
Works Cited
Pictures:
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http://www.thoughtrot.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/polar_vortex_010414.jpg
http://funny-pictures.picphotos.net/funny-frozen-memes-funniest-polar-vortexmemes/media.carbonated.tv*122233_story__51351ac0-5a15-0131-cf25-62fd13030853.png/
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/TMDC-2976.jpg
http://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/wobbly-polar-vortex-triggers-extreme-coldair-outbreak
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/09/polar-vortex-cost-us-economy-5bn
http://unmundoenpaz.blogspot.com/2014_01_05_archive.html
http://www.windsorstar.com/news/photos+polar+vortex+puts+canada+dangerous+deep+freeze/9
358785/story.html?__federated=1
http://www.sott.net/article/271675-Polar-vortex-puts-millions-across-the-US-at-risk-from-brutallycold-weather-Includes-Global-Warming-dunnit-nonsense
http://wasatchweatherweenies.blogspot.com/2014/01/polar-vortex-aaarrrrgggghhhh.html
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/stuostro/comment.html?entrynum=30
Info:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KEkSfgHJNk
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/07/14/3459809/polar-vortex-missed-the-point/
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/06/showbiz/polar-vortex-explanation/
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/09/us/winter-weather/
http://www.foxnews.com/weather/2014/01/08/polar-vortex-blamed-for-at-least-21-deaths/
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/01/polar-vortex-2014-photos-of-a-chicago-deep-freeze/