26 Jan 2026

A major disruption to the polar vortex, intensified by a recent G4 geomagnetic storm and S4 radiation storm, is causing record snowfall and cold temperatures across the northern hemisphere. This disruption is expected to continue into spring and potentially beyond, leading to more volatile weather patterns. The polar vortex, a stable atmospheric circulation, has become unstable, causing the jet stream to undulate and bring cold air further south than usual.

A powerful solar storm, reaching X-class levels, significantly impacted Earth’s space weather. The storm, characterised by a high proton flux and a record-breaking interplanetary magnetic field, funnelled charged particles into the polar vortex, disrupting the atmosphere’s electrical dynamics. This disruption, amplified by the polar vortex’s bifurcation, led to increase ...