The “omegablock” in the atmosphere increases the possibility of major changes in stormy weather and temperatures in some parts of the United States.
After cuts and layoffs, the National Weather Service faded
The National Weather Service feels the impact of budget cuts as funds freeze and layoffs thinly extend agencies.
Although not visible to the naked eye, the strange weather patterns of the top-level atmosphere of the US are predicted to produce large temperature contrasts with unstable weather and weekends.
The “Omega Block” is expected to form in the Ohio Valley, eastward from California. The National Weather Service Weather Forecast Center said on May 2.
The uncertain weather begins with heavy rain, flooding, and potentially harsh weather from the Southern Plains to the Ohio Valley from Texas on May 2nd. The biggest risks exist in Kentucky from southern and eastern Texas, with the Meteorological Bureau posting flood advisories in southern Oklahoma.
The moist air boundary along the cold front is expected to stall in some areas, resulting in repeated rain and storms, with slight risk of excessive rainfall in the lower Mississippi River Valley and parts of Texas, Arkansas and parts of the South Plains.
According to the National Water Forecast Service, several rivers flooded in northern Texas could have slight uplifts at the water level over the weekend. Fortunately, water levels are predicted to continue to fall for people along the Mississippi River despite forecast rain.
The front advances south and east on Saturday, bringing opportunities for showers and thunderstorms to the northeast, the Atlantic, Appalachians and the southeast, according to the Weather Service.
The pattern is expected to extend from west to east over the weekend, resulting in significant contrast at high and low temperatures. The Great Lakes and parts of the Midwest could experience cool temperatures well below average by the 50s and 60s.
Next week is farewell to a preview of recent summers in the eastern US thanks to a weather pattern known as cut off flow. This is a wide area of low pressure that is “blocked” from the main jet stream, and will sit and spin for several days. It is predicted to bring cooler, damper weather spells to areas where rain is in desperate need.
Contributed by: Doyle Rice, USA Today
USA Today’s national correspondent, Dinah Voyles Pulver, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Contact her at dpulver @usatoday.com or @dinahvp.