Sometimes we get to see how much Earth has in common with other planets in our solar system. For example, storms form on Saturn just like storms form on Earth. However, our storms aren’t usually big enough to cover the entire northern hemisphere, push temperatures to 150 degrees, or belch out ethylene.

What researchers call the Great Springtime Storm started wreaking havoc on Saturn in late 2010, growing so large that it completely circled the planet and created one contiguous maelstrom ring. After it ended, scientists found two warm spots still hanging over the planet. Now, the two have just merged, forging the biggest, hottest vortex ever seen in our solar system.

Just keep that in mind when Chicago’s cornucopia of winter weather pleasantries start up in a few weeks.