New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => International => Topic started by: Mark on March 03, 2022, 07:23:26 AM
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The GFS and its ensembles are forecasting a reduction in westerly zonal winds over the North Pole as we enter March.
The higher latitudes have experienced consistently strong zonal winds to date, and, as a result, below-average temperatures have prevailed at the North Pole, which helped drive Arctic sea ice to its largest extent since 2008, and before that 2004.
A strong Polar Vortex means a strong polar circulation, which usually keeps cold air locked up in the Arctic, and, in turn, results in milder winter conditions for the United States and Europe. Conversely, a weak (wavy) Polar Vortex has a much harder time containing the Arctic’s cold air, and often funnels it south into the lower latitudes.
https://electroverse.net/ssw-underway-christchurch-cold-and-wet-feb-midwest-and-ne-winter-to-extend-into-march/