Meanwhile...as you quibble... posting factless garbage
"For two weeks, the country’s northern and western areas along the Sea of Japan coast have been blasted by icy blizzards and extreme snowfall, blocking roads, snowing in homes, and causing travel chaos, with flights delayed and transport links cut.
At least 35 people have died and almost 400 have been injured in snow-related accidents since January 20 – many involving people trying to shovel snow from their homes, according to Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency."
disallowed/world/asia/everyone-s-talking-about-it-aussie-deaths-ripple-through-japan-s-snow-resorts-20260205-p5nztt.html?btis
AI Overview
Yes, scientific research increasingly links the disruption of the polar vortex—driven by climate change—to increased, extreme winter weather events, including heavy snowfall and intense cold snaps in the US, Europe, and Asia. While the planet is warming overall, the Arctic is warming at more than double the rate of the rest of the world (Arctic amplification), leading to less sea ice and warmer Arctic temperatures, which can weaken and distort the polar vortex, forcing cold air southward. MIT Climate Portal
MIT Climate Portal
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Here is a breakdown of the connection based on recent data:
How the Process Works
The Normal State: In a typical winter, a strong, circular polar vortex in the stratosphere keeps cold air locked over the Arctic.
The Disruption: Climate change-driven warming in the Arctic—particularly in the Barents and Kara Seas—creates atmospheric waves that disrupt the vortex. This causes the vortex to stretch, shift, or split (a "Sudden Stratospheric Warming" event).
The Impact: A weakened vortex allows the jet stream to become more "wavy" and sluggish, letting massive pockets of freezing Arctic air escape into the mid-latitudes (the US, Europe, and Asia).
MIT Climate Portal
MIT Climate Portal
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Regional Impacts (2025–2026 Season)
United States: A "stretched" or disrupted polar vortex has been linked to extreme cold, such as the February 2021 Texas freeze and similar events in 2025–2026, causing heavy snow, ice, and dangerously low temperatures.
Europe: Weakened vortex conditions have brought, and are forecast to bring, severe cold spells and, at times, significant snowfall to Northern and Eastern Europe.
Japan: The same, weak, and wobbly jet stream has been linked to intense snowfall events on the Sea of Japan side of the country, as colder air moves from Siberia, impacting Japan and Northeast Asia.
The Business Download |
The Business Download |
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Key Takeaways and Nuance
"Warm Arctic, Cold Continent": This pattern means that while the Arctic experiences warmer-than-normal temperatures, lower latitudes face extreme cold.
Debate Among Scientists: While there is growing evidence, the exact, long-term impact of climate change on the polar vortex is still debated. Some scientists argue that while these events occur, they may actually become less frequent in the coming decades, even if they are severe when they happen.
Volatility: Climate change does not just mean "global warming" to higher temperatures; it increases atmospheric volatility, allowing for "colder colds" in unexpected areas.
2026 Kicks Off with Extreme Weather and Fires | Mirage News https://share.google/MDeYhuwCYSMvemavI
