Polar Vortex Puts Europe's Gas Reserves at Risk

The European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts shows signs of an early disruption of the Arctic polar vortex that could send cold air into Northwest Europe as the energy-stricken continent faces a very thin supply buffer before the Northern Hemisphere winter gathers pace. We are officially in uncharted territory. The Polar Vortex is currently the weakest it's ever been for the date and is headed for the crucial 0 line over the next day or so.

If it gets to a value of 0 or lower, it will officially be the earliest Sudden Stratospheric Warming Event on record. Regardless of the technical details, the current forecasts show the Polar Vortex remaining record breakingly weak for an extended period of time in fact, it is not exactly clear when or how…