It's Google's most searched term today, 'polar vortex.' So what is it, and more importantly, what is it not.  The National Weather Service took to social media to dispel some rumors.

The NWS notes that the polar vortex is always present in the upper atmosphere.

It is not new, nor does it appear on the earth's surface like a tornado.

The Polar Vortex Joins Twitter

Note: the tweets may be NSFW

Just how viral has the Polar Vortex become? It's joined Twitter with a parody account tweeting status updates like:

Photos of Empty Grocery Store Shelves in Buffalo and Syracuse Go Viral

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