Long story short, the polar vortex is the result of global warming changing the semi-permanent weather system over the arctic regions resulting in movement of cold air masses from the arctic region to parts of North America, such as Canada and, unfortunately, poor Buffalo. (hubpages.com)
Certainly the strength of thunderstorms and thermal columns increases with a higher lapse rate — a nice post-frontal day with a very cold air mass moving in over warm moist air on the ground makes for great hang glider flying and, yes, much more turbulent air. (realclimate.org)
[37][70] In the winter, cold air masses from the north reach the state, and can produce below freezing temperatures and high winds at night in the higher elevations, but the temperature can then jump back up to over 20C during the day. (en.wikipedia.org)