Environment
A split in the southern vortex – not seen since 2002 – could lead to sudden warming of the Antarctic stratosphere and hotter weather in Australia and South America
By James Woodford and Madeleine Cuff
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A satellite view of Antarctica
Science History Images / Alamy
Antarctica’s polar vortex could be about to split in two for the first time in more than 20 years after a series of sudden spikes in stratospheric temperatures. If that happens, it could lead to significant warming in Antarctica and an unusually hot summer in Australia and South America.
The southern polar vortex is a clockwise swirl of winds that trap a cold air current above Antarctica during the southern hemisphere winter. The vortex…
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