The country is in store for a weather pattern that won’t vary much over at least the next week, with the FOX Forecast Center anticipating what is known as an “Omega block” to dominate.
An Omega block is simply a pattern where a ridge of high pressure is sandwiched in between dips in the jet stream, where areas of low pressure are usually found.
This pattern will mean parts of the East and West coasts will remain rather stormy and cool while the central U.S. has time to dry out and warm up.
“These low pressures continue to spin in their pockets on either coast,” said FOX Weather meteorologist Jane Minar. “If you’re in Texas or if you’re up through the Plains, you’re loving this pattern because it’s warm, it’s dry, it’s wonderful.”
Usually, during this weather pattern, significant severe weather outbreaks tend to be uncommon because the dynamics are not in place for developing areas of low pressure to take advantage of needed ingredients.
Computer forecast models show quite a bit of rain from the Great Lakes into the Northeast. Over the next seven days, 2-4 inches of precipitation, with locally higher amounts, are possible.
Due to the drier-than-average start to 2023, many communities will likely welcome the rain and flood concerns will not be significant.
The FOX Forecast Center said that due to the rain and increased cloud cover, temperatures will be kept cooler than where they should be during the last month of meteorological spring.
A city such as Pittsburgh typically sees highs in the upper 60s to 70 degrees in early May, but with the unsettled weather, daytime temperatures will be kept in the 40s and 50s.
IOWA CITY BRACES FOR RISING FLOODWATER FROM MISSISSIPPI RIVER
The continued melting of a significant snowpack has sent more than 100 water level gauges into either near flood or flood stage.
The flooding is impacting major rivers such as the Mississippi, Minnesota, Red and James.
Under a ridge of high pressure, chances of any significant precipitation will be greatly reduced as fair weather takes control.
The lack of rainfall will aid in some rivers cresting and slowly coming off season highs.
The FOX Forecast Center expects a lack of cloud cover will also mean a warm-up for some communities.
A city such as Minneapolis usually sees daytime highs in the mid-60s, but normal readings will be replaced with temperatures that are closer to 70 degrees.
The warm dome of air is even more impressive in the northern Plains and Rockies.
According to climatological data, Billings, Montana, should only reach the lower 60s this time of year, but temperatures are expected to be closer to 80 degrees.
MONTANA’S EXTREME WEATHER HELPS SHAPE CHARACTER OF ICONIC STATE
Off and on cloud cover and rain associated with the West Coast dip in the jet stream will keep most of the region unsettled for the foreseeable future.
The FOX Forecast Center expects precipitation values to be light compared to the atmospheric river events that impacted millions during the winter.
The higher elevations will be the recipients of the greater precipitation, with snow possible in the Sierra Nevada and Cascades.
The precipitation is likely not welcome news to some in the West enduring flooding from the melting of a historic snowfall season. Flooding has even led to extensive closures at Yosemite National Park, and Flood Watches extend from the Golden State through Idaho.
Computer forecast models show the pattern has a chance to break down during the next weekend and as the calendar marches into mid-May.