AustinTXResident wrote:Iceresistance wrote:
There was a SSW in January 2021, & it's effects were not felt until February 2021, the impact of an SSW can take anywhere from 3-8 Weeks
Again, a SSW was not the cause of the February 2021 Arctic outbreak in Texas.
According to Wikipedia, The February Arctic Oubtreak was "caused by a southern migration of the polar vortex, likely caused by a sudden stratospheric warming event that occurred the prior month." (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_2021_North_American_cold_wave)
In addition, it's documented that an SSW event happened in January 2021, and since we had a PV event, it's a logical assumption. NOAA even states on their website that SSW events "can lead to a displacement or splitting of the polar vortex, so instead of cold air being locked above the polar region, it can push further south into the mid-latitudes.". (
https://www.weather.gov/bis/sudden_stratospheric_warming_eventsBy the definition of a SSW event from NOAA, and given the results of the cold wave, I think it's entirely justified to say the SSW was a leading factor and cause of the arctic outbreak.
Undergraduate Meteorology Student at the University of Oklahoma and Operator at the Oklahoma Mesonet.
All opinions independent of employers and the university.