also: きょくか
polar vortex; polar cell
Meteorological term for a large-scale cyclone near the poles. 極渦 usually refers to the polar vortex, while 極細胞 (polar cell) is a related but distinct concept; the source groups them together.
When the polar vortex moves south, a cold wave arrives.
The stratospheric polar vortex strengthens in winter.
Standard kanji spelling for the meteorological term 'polar vortex'.
Alternate reading きょくか is listed but is less common.
Compound of 極 (pole) and 渦 (vortex, whirlpool). The reading きょくうず is the standard combination; きょくか is a less common alternative reading of the same kanji.