John Deck
Sustainability Awakening January 24, 2026
Winter Storm Fern is walloping 160 million Americans. Is this just "winter," or is something bigger happening?
The Polar Vortex is a massive pool of cold air 10–50km above the Arctic. Usually, it stays locked up north by a strong "fence" of winds.
The Arctic is warming nearly four times faster than the rest of the world. Scientists believe this heat "pokes" the vortex, making it more unstable.
It's not just the air. Rising ocean temperatures are disrupting surface currents and the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt, which regulates global heat.
As the ocean warms and freshens, the "conveyor belt" slows down. This can trigger extreme weather shifts far from the coast.
Changing temperature gradients are altering global wind systems. These shifts move moisture and pressure in ways our infrastructure isn't built for.
Rising greenhouse gases act as a blanket, trapping heat and providing the energy that fuels these atmospheric disruptions.
While natural variability exists, many experts agree: a warming world favors more frequent and "weird" winter extremes.
As we rewire the planet’s thermostat, "unusual" storms like Fern may become our standard winter experience.
Prepare for the "New Normal."