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.
極渦が南下すると、寒波がやってくる。
When the polar vortex moves south, a cold wave arrives.
成層圏の極渦は冬に強まる。
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.