One can only hope for a pattern change

Maybe the rain the other night was the beginning of a weather pattern change for the Stateline...or maybe not.  But looking ahead into next week there is some hope that with the placement of the jetstream will keep the rain on our radar.

The persistent ridge pattern we've had all summer will hold firm in the Plains this weekend and early next week, but there are some indications this pattern may begin to break down.  As was mentioned in a previous post the position of the jetstream will be key in determining just how hot it gets next week and when/where storms develop.  Right now, it looks like we'll remain right on the southern edge of the stronger winds within the jetstream which would keep any threat for rain just to our north.  There are several weather models we look at when putting together a forecast and the one that has been fairly consistent with the heat and lack of rain has been the European model.  This particular models keeps the heat around through early next week with a gradual break down of the ridge by the end of the week.  The GFS, which is another longer term model, has hinted at the possibility of this jetstream pattern breaking down a little sooner.  It keeps Monday hot but then stalls a weak cool front either over northern Illinois or just a little further south increasing rain chances by the end of the week.  For now, the going forecast keeps the heat for at least the first part of the week with isolated storm chances Tuesday on.