A frigid look at the United States in the midst of this week's polar vortex, as seen by a NOAA satellite on Jan. 30. (Image credit: NOAA) ...

It's winter in the United States, and swaths of the country are currently experiencing bitter cold brought on by a phenomenon nicknamed the polar vortex, a pattern weather satellites are watching ...

Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces, never on cabinets, tables, furniture or carpet. Unplug and safely store the space heater when it is not in use. View Comments View Comments ...

“The polar vortex exists all year, but it’s winter when it gets stronger and larger. The lack of daylight during the winter months helps to build the pool of extremely cold air that makes up ...

Of course, the polar vortex isn't suddenly appearing out of nowhere (it usually hovers far above the North Pole) or new (it's been around a few hundred million years). There's also some debate in ...

The Polar Vortex is going to get really strong in the next few days. There is some indication the center of the Polar Vortex might be as “strong” as we’ve seen in quite some time.

The polar vortex also had an economic impact. Ad Age, an industry publication on retail sales, found that winners included any maker of winter equipment, like snowblowers, road salt, wiper fluid ...

"A polar vortex is simply that: a vortex that originates over the polar regions," according to AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno. "Because it starts over the polar regions, it has arctic air.