Re: [Phys-L] Polar Vortex -erratum

[brian whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>]

I would like to retract my assertion that Bob was misinterpreting a NASA 
description of the Polar Vortex.    On checking further, I see that 
"whirling and persistent large area of low pressure, found typically 
over both North and South poles." was indeed present in a text 
supporting a picture published by NASA, just as Bob claimed.      It is 
hard to claim that the media outlets are running away with a game of 
Telephone, when I see the faulty location given in both NASA and 
repeated verbatim in phys.org materials. Nevertheless, discussing the 
polar vortex as a neologism for the polar high is less than accurate.

Brian Whatcott    Altus OK


On 1/7/2014 2:44 PM, LaMontagne, Bob wrote:
> /snip/
> My point is that the media are running away with this new term with no idea what it actually refers to. They are merely quoting one another and an incorrect concept is now being spread like a game of telephone/snip/
> Bob at PC
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@phys-l.org] On Behalf Of brian
> > whatcott
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2014 2:29 PM
> > To: Phys-L@Phys-L.org
> > Subject: Re: [Phys-L] Polar Vortex
> >
> > On 1/7/2014 10:20 AM, LaMontagne, Bob wrote:
> > > The current buzzword used by the media is "polar vortex". It appears to be a rather recent term, as no meteorology texts refer to it.
> > > NASA explains that the polar vortex is a "whirling and persistent large area of low pressure, found typically over both North and South poles."
> > > A quick perusal of introductory meteorology texts finds reference
> > > instead to the Polar High.
/snip/