Polar vortex change

The animation uses data from ESA’s Aeolus wind satellite and shows how the polar vortex in the lower stratosphere changed between 1 December 2020 and 1 February 2021. The first few plots at the beginning of December show the vortex in a comparatively normal state, but in mid-December patches of blue wind appear, and the wind is going westwards relative to normal conditions. Scientists are using wind information from Aeolus to shed more light on this complex phenomenon that can disrupt the weather at lower latitudes.

Read full story: Aeolus shines a light on polar vortex