Remember last week when we were topping out at 95 degrees? Well, it’s still warm outside, but not unbearably hot thanks to the trough of low pressure that settled in over the Ohio Valley extending southward to Tennessee.
For those wanting to learn more about the science of meteorology, the general rule of thumb for the upper atmosphere is that there is cooler air under the low pressure troughs (whenever a cold front passes through, there is a trough aloft) and warmer air under the high pressure ridges.
Speaking of high pressure ridges, that pattern returns to our region this weekend, bringing the 90’s back to the area. I guess it’s summertime!
Davis,
Is there any specific reason the jet stream has been so fickle this summer. Typically by now, it has lifted over the northern states and is in a more zonal flow. I assume it is because of stronger storms moving into British Columbia, thus forcing stronger ripples in the upper air patterns. If this is the case, why are these storms stronger coming in off the Pacific? Are ocean temps warmer?
In addition to my comment above, it is still my belief that if this type of pattern persist through the summer and into fall, the threat of land falling hurricanes will be drastically reduced, unless one can slip under an east coast ridge.
In addition to Clarence’s query, is there an absence of a strong Bermuda high that usually makes itself known this time of year…or does that timing come a little later?
We’re inquisitive people today!
Servocrow,
I think we can rename from a “Bermuda High” to a “Four Corners High”…lol This pattern has just not allowed for high pressure to take any kind of hold on the east coast. There is a huge dip in the jet stream coming off of Alaska and back up in B.C. This tell me that this coming weekends warm up will be short lived as this dip shifts east early next week.
And THAT would be fine by me…SHIFT AWAY HEAT AND HUMIDITY!!!!!!
Again….thanks for the clearance, Clarence…
(love that movie)…
I think our culprit is a persistent upper level low a few hundred miles off the B.C. coast, along with a persistent high pressure in the four corners area. I think it is awesome how you have to look half way around the world to see what is causing our patterns.
Dang, I need to get paid for this…lol
Clarence said:
“Dang, I need to get paid for this…lol”
Yeah…all of us stay-at-home Moms say the same thing…
Ok…one more snippet and I have to get back to work…lol
Heck, I love weather enough that I would go down to the station and work for free, just to get more involved with it (weather).
Hi Clarence,
Great queations and comments.
It’s funny, all the years I’ve been forecasting weather I always can ask another “Why?”.
One pattern will be around because another feature upstream or downstream. Not only do I ask why, but “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” I wish I had the answer as to why the patterns do what they do.
Remember two summers ago (Summer 2004)? The summer pattern just never did set in. IN fact we had lows in the 50s several nights in August and broke a couple of records. I wonder if this summer will follow likewise?