AND WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH YOU? WHAT IS A POLAR VORTEX?
W hile we had a relatively mild winter in Utah this year, the Upper Midwest experienced a miserable polar vortex. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s poles. The vortex itself is the counterclockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air close to the poles. Occasionally, the vortex will expand and send cold air southward. This winter, the vortex sent a strong jet stream toward residents of the Upper Midwest and Canada. For several days in January, the temperatures dropped below -50 degrees! While we Utahans are sequestered safely away from the vortex’s reach, there are still winter dangers to keep in mind as the temperatures fluctuate this month. One of the biggest threats to driving safety is black ice, a type of ice that forms on wet roadways when temperatures drop at night. Black ice is made more dangerous by the fact that it’s invisible to the naked eye due to its dark hue — fully formed, it’s the same color as asphalt. Black ice is especially common in the Wellsville-Cache County area. In 2018, a number of crashes occurred as a result of black ice, several of which were on Route 89 between Sardine
Canyon and Logan. The icy road was responsible for sending at least a dozen vehicles off the highway.
While this icy threat is forming less often now that the spring weather is rolling in, the temperatures can still drop below freezing once the sun goes down. If you have an early-morning or late-night commute, practice defensive driving by only driving as fast as conditions allow. Make sure you keep a greater —
sometimes much greater — gap between you and the car in front of you so you can avoid a crash if that car happens to lose traction. And be
on the lookout for black ice. Although cold weather driving has its challenges, if you are prepared and use safe driving techniques, you can make it through to the warmer months, when driving is a little bit easier.
TAKE A BREAK
EVERYTHING POPCORN
INGREDIENTS
• 3/4 cup popcorn kernels • 2 tablespoons flaky sea salt • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds • 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons granulated garlic • 2 teaspoons granulated onion • 1/3 cup canola oil • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
DIRECTIONS
1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast sesame seeds. Shake skillet often and cook until white seeds are golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and add garlic, onion, and salt. 2. In a large saucepan, combine popcorn kernels and oil. Cook over medium- high heat, covered, until popcorn kernels start to pop. Once popping, continue cooking and shaking the pan intermittently until popping ceases, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer popcorn to a large mixing bowl. Pour in butter and toss to coat. Finally, add seasoning, toss again, and serve.
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