Southwest Jet Stream Winds Gives Us Unsettled Weeks
When upper level winds blow over the Southeastern part of the United States in the Autumn, it usually means a wet and unusually warm period, including a few chances for some strong to severe thunderstorms. Most of the stronger outbreaks of severe weather occur when the clashes are great between near record breaking highs and near record breaking lows. The Subtropical Jet Stream is a flow of upper level winds greatly affected by the Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs) in the Tropical Pacific Ocean. El Nino, as it is known, is the name for the Southern Oscillation which occurs when sea surface temperature shifts between Western and Eastern Pacific. When looking at SST maps, look for the orange and red coloration off the coast of Northern South America, Central America, Mexico and the coastline of Southern California.
Current SSTs show warmer than normal temperatures in the Eastern Pacific, which will tend to strengthen the Subtropical Jet, keep us in the unsettled flow for weeks, and shunting off the coldest air incursions as they head toward the Tennessee Valley. Our current Jet Stream flow maintains SW winds aloft, and keeps us in the unsettled weather pattern we currently seem to be mired in until the El Nino either weakens, of the Polar Jet Stream strengthens.
You see, forecasting is indeed a very complex science that has meteorologists looking thousands of miles in all directions to give you the best forecasts for your outdoor plans.
Brad Huffines, Chief Meteorologist / Storm Force 31
