Polar Vortex: What is it and why do we even want to know?

Polar Vortex is to blame for the cold spell we are having in the Midwest. What is a polar vortex? 

According to Wikipedia, a polar vortex is a polar cyclone. They can be mignogno cyclones, polar vortices, Arctic cyclones, sub-polar cyclones and circumpolar whirl is a persistent, large-scale cyclone located near one or both of a planet's geographical poles. 

A fictional example of what a polar vortex is similar to the 2004 movie The Day After Tomorrow which depicted three extremely strong polar vortices developing over and devastating the northern half of the globe.  They are supposed to be related by climate change and global warming. Polar vortices are strongest in the winter. 

In short, it is cold out and going to get much colder over the next two days. The winds are blowing and it has went from rain to snow, snow to rain and back to snow again and a lot of wind. Tomorrow morning is supposed to be negative double-digits will continue for two days. 

Let's hope these vortices do not produce dangerous scenarios like the movie. Be prepared and be safe.