A sudden stratospheric warming event reversed the winds that make up the northern polar vortex on March 9, 2025.
A new animation shows the vortex also moved away from the Arctic towards Northern Europe.

Counter-clockwise rotation of moisture and winds, an “Atmospheric River” from the south moving directly North over California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Click the image to view the latest satellite image sequence from the SSEC GOES-WEST page. It’s been like this nearly TWO MONTHS as of December 24, 2025.