Polar cyclones (also known as Arctic Cyclones) are vast areas of low pressure. They should not be confused with what are commonly referred to as polar lows that behave similarly to hurricanes.

A polar cyclone is a low pressure weather system usually spanning 1000–2000 kilometers in which the air is circulating in a counterclockwise fashion (in the northern hemisphere). The reason for the rotation is the same as tropical cyclones, the coriolis effect.

Cyclone activity is most prevalent in the Eurasian Arctic with approximately 15 cyclones per winter. Polar cyclones also occur in Greenland and the Canadian arctic.

Polar cyclones can occur at any time during the year. However, summer cyclones tend to be weaker than winter cyclones. They are not well studied and seldom destructive as they typically take place in sparsely populated areas.

See also

Weather | Arctic

Ciclón polar | Cyclone polaire