Over the next week we will be exposed to a different elevation pattern than we are used to this summer. This elevation pattern will be responsible for the coming mild and dry weather.
There is currently a high pressure system over Texas. Rain showers and thunderstorms are circling the periphery of this high pressure system, where the jet stream is located. As this high pressure system expands northward over the next few days, the jet stream will temporarily be pushed northward well into Canada.
With the ridge located west of us, it will be difficult for strong storm systems to move into our area through the end of the week. This will also keep the brunt of the heat west of us, allowing us to experience mild temperatures for most of the week.
The ridge will temporarily retreat westward Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing a little more cloud and cooler temperatures mid-week. However, another ridge of high pressure will form to the west toward the end of the week. This time, the ridge will extend farther east, allowing more of the warmer temperatures to penetrate our area.
As the jet stream ebbs and flows this week, the majority of precipitation will stay in the south, west and north. Temperatures directly above the Earth’s surface will also be warmer than at the surface for most of the week, making it very difficult for showers and thunderstorms to develop. Therefore, in addition to the mild conditions expected, we also expect a dry forecast.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, temperatures will be very high over the weekend and next week, and temperatures will get cooler by the middle of next week as the ridge to our west breaks down. This may also mean that we may need to add storm chances to the forecast early next week, but it’s too early to say if that’s necessary at this point.
