Abstract:

The Arctic vortex is a persistent large-scale cyclonic circulation pattern in the middle and upper troposphere and the stratosphere. Its activity and variability are related to the semi-permanent active centers and the cyclone activity with the short-time scale in the pan-Arctic. Its variability in the strength, which is directly related to the atmosphere, ocean, sea ice and ecosystem in the Arctic, has an effect on the lower atmospheric circulation and affects the weather in the sub-Arctic and even at the middle latitudes. The transition of the circulation from a warm anticyclone to a cold cyclone occurred in the middle and upper stratosphere during 2003 Chinese Arctic Research Expedition. The mechanisms coupling the stratosphere and troposphere have been studied by some scientists for understanding the effect of the polar vortex change on the lower circulation. The effect of the stratospheric sudden warming on the polar vortex break down was found early in the fifties of the last century and has been taken great note. The Arctic Oscillation (AO), relating to the change of the Arctic vortex, has been used to study the effect of the Arctic vortex on the climatic change. The recent Arctic vortex research is simply reviewed in the paper. Our understanding of the Arctic vortex is given and some different view and questions are also discussed.