My interpretation of the polar vortex this year.

There's a constant low pressure over the Hudson Bay that has been there for a long time. There's a blocking pattern off the coast of the southeastern US. There's also blocking pattern off the coast of the northwestern US. Add in sudden stratospheric warming in the north pole and this is what we get:

The rule of thumb is: If it's cold in Alaska, it's gonna be warm in Indiana. If it's warn in Alaska, it's gonna be cold in Indiana.