National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce

Recent Press Highlights Changes in Arctic Atmosphere Circulation

January 27, 2011

In recent press, notably the New York Times, Arctic atmosphere circulation has been a hot topic.  PMEL's Dr. Jim Overland explains that the Polar Vortex, a ring of winds circling the North Pole and providing a fence keeping cold air north, has broken down for the second year in a row. This breakdown allows cold air to spill south, affecting the U.S. East Coast and other regions.

For more information on the Arctic atmosphere please visit the 2010 Arctic Report Card page and for the latest research on the Arctic visit the Arctic Future web site.

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