This is a discussion of the atmospheric pattern from February 9th through February 23rd.
Our analysis begins with the tropical convection index called the Madden-Julian Oscillation, or MJO. We currently see the MJO in Phase 1, with the strongest tropical convection occurring in west Africa or into the Indian Ocean.
When the Madden Julian Oscillation is in Phase 1 during the second half of winter into March, cooler temperatures tend to prevail across many areas east of the Front Range, especially prevalent in the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. Temperature anomalies can average a few degrees below normal, and this phase is best known for providing the aforementioned regions with the best opportunities for cold outbreaks. We are not seeing that cold trend get too strong at this time, however, because the MJO is very close to the center circle. When the MJO tracks into that center circle, it means convection is too weak for any adverse weather to be inflicted on the nation. In coming days, we will see the MJO rebound back into a modest-strength Phase 1, but then swing around into Phase 2, as the ECMWF model illustrates above. If we look again at the charts on the left, we find temperatures bounce back to relatively normal (but still cool) levels for those east of the Mississippi. A striking difference is the sudden appearance of well below normal temperature anomalies in the Rockies. It is plausible that we could see these below normal temperature anomalies appear as we progress into the next several days. Precipitation wise, while Phase 1 does favor coastal storms as exhibited by above normal anomalies in the Southeast, this wet sector shifts more inland into the southern Ohio Valley during Phase 2. This tells me that we could see storms stay more inland and affect the Ohio Valley more-so than the Northeast. That's not to say coastal storms will be rid of the equation, but they will begin to find a discouragement for such a coastal track. Before long, we are entering a modest Phase 3. This is the last favorable phase before the cold anomalies leave. Phase 3 holds the cold across much of the nation, and precipitation continues to move more inland, now more towards the southern Plains and even into the southern Midwest.
Medium range forecasts for 500 millibar heights by the European model (left) and American model (right) show general agreement in the setting-up of low pressure anomalies across the East US, and high pressure anomalies across the West US. This is a textbook example of a good scenario where to get cold and storms to flow into the East. Depression of heights in the East leads to a suppressed jet stream, which allows cold to flourish in the region. The suppressed jet stream strengthens the subtropical jet stream and provides additional opportunities for coastal storms. Long range forecasts do show this example of storms dropping south from the Pacific Northwest as the two jet streams merge and the storm then heads up the coast. A lack of high pressure over Greenland is a major catch that could put a flaw in this system. Without the high pressure over Greenland, I am hesitant to believe that this scenario will lead to big Nor'easters. While they are indeed possible, the lack of Greenland high pressure could lead to these storms just going out to sea rather than hanging around on the East Coast. This situation will have to be carefully watched before any decisions are made about who gets the storms and who is left out.
A long range concern of mine is the development of an Omega Block in the Bering Sea. An Omega Block is where high pressure sets up in any given area. In response to elevated pressure anomalies, below normal pressure anomalies (low pressure) must set up on both the left and right sides of the original high pressure system, forming the Greek letter Omega. The last time we saw an Omega Block in the Bering Sea, an unfavorable pattern evolved in much of the nation. If this Omega Block is to develop, low pressure on one side of that high pressure could stretch down into the northeast Pacific Ocean and West Coast. Long range model guidance has been hinting at such a scenario, and if it were to evolve, high pressure would make a solid (and likely successful) attempt at establishing itself over much of the nation. The MJO cycling towards Phases 4-5 doesn't help either, as Phase 4 introduces warm temperature anomalies across much of the nation. If this Omega Block were to happen, and the low pressure did develop in the NE Pacific and West Coast, it would probably occur beyond the 20th of February. During this timeframe, the Madden Julian Oscillation would most likely be in Phase 4, which aligns nicely with the Omega Block's attempt at hoisting high pressure and warm temperatures over the nation.
Weekly Prognosis:
February 9 - February 16: Threat for coastal storms remains through the week. Valentine's Day likely to bring Nor'easter. Accumulations flirting with one foot in spots. Warm temperatures and high pressure prevails in West US until end of week.
February 16 - February 23: Persistent low pressure moves out of East US. Pacific pattern begins to turn unfavorable, Madden Julian Oscillation begins cycling through Phases 3 and 4. Cold temperatures early in week are erased by gradual warm up into end of week. Coastal storm threat remains, may be suppressed from unfavorable Pacific pattern.
Andrew
When the Madden Julian Oscillation is in Phase 1 during the second half of winter into March, cooler temperatures tend to prevail across many areas east of the Front Range, especially prevalent in the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. Temperature anomalies can average a few degrees below normal, and this phase is best known for providing the aforementioned regions with the best opportunities for cold outbreaks. We are not seeing that cold trend get too strong at this time, however, because the MJO is very close to the center circle. When the MJO tracks into that center circle, it means convection is too weak for any adverse weather to be inflicted on the nation. In coming days, we will see the MJO rebound back into a modest-strength Phase 1, but then swing around into Phase 2, as the ECMWF model illustrates above. If we look again at the charts on the left, we find temperatures bounce back to relatively normal (but still cool) levels for those east of the Mississippi. A striking difference is the sudden appearance of well below normal temperature anomalies in the Rockies. It is plausible that we could see these below normal temperature anomalies appear as we progress into the next several days. Precipitation wise, while Phase 1 does favor coastal storms as exhibited by above normal anomalies in the Southeast, this wet sector shifts more inland into the southern Ohio Valley during Phase 2. This tells me that we could see storms stay more inland and affect the Ohio Valley more-so than the Northeast. That's not to say coastal storms will be rid of the equation, but they will begin to find a discouragement for such a coastal track. Before long, we are entering a modest Phase 3. This is the last favorable phase before the cold anomalies leave. Phase 3 holds the cold across much of the nation, and precipitation continues to move more inland, now more towards the southern Plains and even into the southern Midwest.
Medium range forecasts for 500 millibar heights by the European model (left) and American model (right) show general agreement in the setting-up of low pressure anomalies across the East US, and high pressure anomalies across the West US. This is a textbook example of a good scenario where to get cold and storms to flow into the East. Depression of heights in the East leads to a suppressed jet stream, which allows cold to flourish in the region. The suppressed jet stream strengthens the subtropical jet stream and provides additional opportunities for coastal storms. Long range forecasts do show this example of storms dropping south from the Pacific Northwest as the two jet streams merge and the storm then heads up the coast. A lack of high pressure over Greenland is a major catch that could put a flaw in this system. Without the high pressure over Greenland, I am hesitant to believe that this scenario will lead to big Nor'easters. While they are indeed possible, the lack of Greenland high pressure could lead to these storms just going out to sea rather than hanging around on the East Coast. This situation will have to be carefully watched before any decisions are made about who gets the storms and who is left out.
Weekly Prognosis:
February 9 - February 16: Threat for coastal storms remains through the week. Valentine's Day likely to bring Nor'easter. Accumulations flirting with one foot in spots. Warm temperatures and high pressure prevails in West US until end of week.
February 16 - February 23: Persistent low pressure moves out of East US. Pacific pattern begins to turn unfavorable, Madden Julian Oscillation begins cycling through Phases 3 and 4. Cold temperatures early in week are erased by gradual warm up into end of week. Coastal storm threat remains, may be suppressed from unfavorable Pacific pattern.
Andrew
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