Why is it so cold? Weatherman explains.

The first week of May started below average temperatures for many nations of Europe. It is a noteworthy weather event, as reported in the news, arising from a weakening of the polar vortex due to a stratospheric warming event, the last of spring.

However, the European, ‘regional’ event should not be confused with the climate, which instead is always characterized by an above-average temperature trend on a global scale. To get an explanation of what the polar vortex is all about, we asked expert meteorologist Francesco Nucera of the Meteomed team for help.

“This is not an unusual phenomenon, nor should it be confused with the classic low pressure that is shown in weather charts. The polar vortex is always present and is what characterizes the weather in the mid-latitudes. It is a broad wheel of winds at altitude that rotates counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, circumnavigates the earth and has its center of gravity at the pole. For this reason it takes the name vortex.

Within it is relatively colder air (very cold over the pole) than the air mass of subtropical latitudes. In the interference zone between these two air masses, where the contrasts are heated, disturbances are generated. This area meteorologists identify as the jet stream or ‘Jet Stream’.

leggi anche

Garmin quatix 8 is the smartwatch to have on your wrist when you’re boating

When the polar vortex is strong, there is a clear division between cold and warm air. As a result, cold irruptions are less likely and limited. When the polar vortex is weak the opposite happens. Anticyclones move northward pushing warm air toward high latitudes: cold air, on the other hand, inside more or less large pockets pushes accordingly toward mid-latitudes.

The colder these pockets (or lobes) are, the more conspicuous the effects. In winter these sacratures are capable of bringing subzero temperatures, low altitude snowfall, and waves of bad weather. In the most extreme cases in those climatic anomalies that go by the name of sudden stratospheric warming (Stratwarming Major), the polar vortex may even leave its usual seat, be replaced by a polar anticyclone and pour its icy contents even into mild places (polar vortex split).”

So what will happen next? “Now the stratosphere will no longer have influence since the stratospheric polar vortex has been replaced by the polar anticyclone. However, the mid-latitude circulation will still continue to be affected in the coming weeks by what happened during the spring. Heat waves, then, still far, probably, from Italy.”

Meteomed is the ideal partner to support your boating business, whatever your needs. The platform can be navigated from any device; there is no need to download any application. Call 0289708085 if you want to talk to the offices and if you want to buy one of the available subscriptions a discount has been reserved for readers, use coupon code GDV2019 and you will be entitled to 10% discount on the whole offer. Go to http://www.meteomed.org.
If you need assistance please write to
info@meteomed.it

DISCOVER ALL TECH, ACCESSORIES & PRACTICE NEWS

leggi anche

Jib adjustment: the perfect sail “trim” with sheet, carriage and Barber