Polar Vortex

A vortex is a circulation pattern that is naturally very stable.  Examples include water swirling down a drain, tornadoes, and dust devils.  This sort of stable flow often forms around very cold polar air and is called a polar vortex.  The ozone movie below can help you better visualize the Antarctic polar vortex pattern for 2001.  The polar vortex is a very cold environment ideally suited for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds and also provides an isolated region which allows chemical reactions to take place without dilution, much like a giant laboratory beaker.

click image for movie of 2001 ozone development.

 

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