Jet Stream Pattern Keeps Active Storms to the North

After a brisk start Monday morning, temperatures warmed up nicely for the afternoon.  Highs in Rockford reached 63 degrees, spot on the average high temperature for the day.

There will be a couple cool nights, but overall the week brings another warm up with temperatures rising nearly ten degrees above average.  The reason for this warmer pattern has a lot to do with the placement of the jet stream.  High pressure over the east and southern Plains remains locked in place this week.  This means above average temperatures in the south and over much of the Midwest.




Storms systems will move in from the west and follow the flow of the jet stream.  High pressure to the south will block any movement of the storms to the south, keeping our skies dry through the end of the week.  The jet stream pattern breaks down a bit over the weekend, sinking back south as low pressure moves in from the west.  Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will be pulled northward ahead of a cold front Saturday, bringing rain showers into Sunday.




It looks like the weather pattern gets a little more active late next week and possibly towards the end of the month.  This could mean more of an opportunity for cooler air to be pulled south into the Stateline.