Split jet stream keeps active weather south this week

Nearly two thirds of the country was dominated by the polar branch of the jet stream during the month of February.  Now, as we turn the page into the second week of March, we're beginning to see signs of a more spring-like pattern within the jet stream.  This is what will help boost temperatures above average this week. 

With this pattern shift, the active southern branch of the jet stream will become a little more dominate keeping much of the active weather through the southern Plains and Gulf states, leaving us with little expected rainfall this week.  While we do need the precipitation, it's nice not to have it at the beginning of a warm up/thaw because the risk of flooding would increase.  While we've had some standing water in ditches and on the sides of roads, the flooding threat will remain fairly low.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a slight rise in streams and local rivers with the runoff, but major flooding is not expected.