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Severe winter Storm Impacts Central and Southern US

A powerful winter storm is bringing widespread disruption across ⁢the central and southern United States, with meaningful snowfall, ice accumulation, ​and dangerously low temperatures.The⁣ hardest-hit states⁤ include Texas,‍ Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas,‍ Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The National Weather Service issued alerts for central ‌and north Texas,‌ extending⁢ from Friday evening through Saturday night.

Cause of the Storm: Arctic Air and Polar Vortex

The primary driver​ of⁢ this ‍extreme weather event ⁣is a surge of Arctic air descending from canada. This⁤ influx of frigid air is⁤ linked to a disruption of the polar vortex, a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles. When the polar vortex weakens, it can send frigid air masses southward, impacting regions typically not⁣ accustomed to such⁣ extreme ⁣cold.

Scientists explain that large atmospheric waves can destabilize the polar vortex, allowing cold air to expand further south, as is currently happening