Coldest air in years set to grip the Nation’s Capital: Protect yourself, pets, and home (Post article) (middle school, buses)

[michgc]

Originally Posted by Nerf Herder

What is this "polar vortex" I keep hearing about, and is it in any way a portal into another dimension?

It's a fancy way of saying it's dam*n cold outside.

[farplaner]

A deep dive into the polar vortex

The polar vortex is really just a large air mass that is extremely cold (temperatures fall below -78C, or -108F, during the Northern Hemisphere winter). This concentrated area of cold is encircled by a fast-flowing river of air called the polar night jet. Basically, the jet – with its swiftly moving air current – traps the vortex over and near the poles, north and south.

[mikecart1]

I had to walk a quarter mile each way outside earlier this morning for a meeting at work. When I got to the meeting, I found out it was canceled.

My boiling anger on the way back allowed me to not freeze to death.

What is this global warming crap I keep hearin about?

[FCNova]

When I started my car this morning I didn't think it felt that bad, just a little colder than usual. I went out at lunch and it felt significantly worse. Either the temp has dropped or maybe it just wasn't windy when I went outside first thing this morning. The wind chill is definitely brutal

[The Dissenter]

My Accord started VERY differently than usual this morning from all the cold weather. Also I saw 4 Mile Run Creek is completely frozen solid.

[Nerf Herder]

it was 7 degrees when I woke up this morning, but when I got to DC it had risen to 10 degrees and I was like "wooh! Break out the suncreen and hawaiian shirts!"

[Fallout Zone]

Originally Posted by Nerf Herder

What is this "polar vortex" I keep hearing about, and is it in any way a portal into another dimension?

Polar vortex has been a common meteorological term for a long time. I don't know why the media decided this was the time to whip it out. I guess this event needed a "cool" name.

[mikecart1]

Originally Posted by Fallout Zone

Polar vortex has been a common meteorological term for a long time. I don't know why the media decided this was the time to whip it out. I guess this event needed a "cool" name.

I thought the cool name of this event was Winter Storm Hercules?

[gingerbreadgirl]

I know this is not a popular opinion, but I'm glad schools were closed. Diesel engines are known to be difficult to start in cold weather and a lot of kids would be standing out in the extremely cold weather waiting for buses that would be late or not coming at all. I was out briefly today, dressed like an eskimo, and my hands and feet were numb by the time I got back inside.

I also see the high school students waiting for school buses without coats on. I've always wondered what kind of crazy they are....but figured they are teenagers. Then found out that they don't wear coats because they don't fit in their lockers and there is no place to put them during the day. So I guess its not a fashion statement, there really is a reason the older kids go coatless.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by Fallout Zone

Polar vortex has been a common meteorological term for a long time. I don't know why the media decided this was the time to whip it out. I guess this event needed a "cool" name.

Kinda like derecho a couple summers ago.