Saturday, June 29, 2024

How this upper-level wind pattern will impact temperatures and precipitation

 With a calm weekend on the horizon and the 4th of July quickly approaching this week we can look at how the upper-level winds will affect the holiday and days after.

With a zonal wind pattern to come this week, it is a great time to explain how a zonal pattern often affects summertime conditions. Zonal flow refers to the upper-level jet stream moving in a flat pattern or only a certain zone of a continent hence the name "zonal" flow. With winds in a straight pattern area under enhanced winds will be a concentrated area for precipitation.

Along with this zonal flow a large high-pressure system will build in the Southern Plains keeping higher temperatures to the south. Along with enhanced upper-level flow this helps keep temperatures in a normal pattern, so a comfortable pattern seems likely.

Looking at precipitation, with average temperatures returning so will average seasonal rainfall with this upper-level jet stream pattern. In the summertime all that is needed for precipitation is moisture and lift, in this case the cause of lift will be these upper-level wind maximums. So, with any moisture return in this pattern will allow for higher precipitation chances.

With the 4th of July ending up in this time frame a comfortable holiday looks likely in terms of temperature however as trends get closer precipitation may be likely on the holiday. However, follow along with future forecast here on my state line.

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