This is a question that is on everyone’s mind right now. Not alot has changed since last week when we were looking at a cut off low moving across the Midwest and bringing with it a chance for some moisture. First, take a look at this impressive Low Pressure system over the Great Lakes that is bringing our first freeze of the year Wednesday morning; remember, we are looking at the steering winds at 18k feet above our heads;
The counterclockwise rotation of the winds with this Low is bringing much colder Canadian air into the central part of the USA. As we move into the weekend, we see another Low form near Nevada and get “cut off” from the jet stream. The problem with cut off Lows are that we dont know exactly where they will go. Since they are what I call “off roading” from the main highway (jet stream) they can go anywhere they want to. Currently, it is poised to weaken quite a bit by the time it gets to Missouri but still enough of a disturbance to produce some showers/thundershowers. This will NOT get us out of a drought but may provide a drink. Good news is that more Low systems are forming in the Pacific and will likely affect us for round 2. So the general break down of the strong ridge of High Pressure that is over us looks to be on track still for October 19th through 27th and will provide at least a couple chances to get some precipitation. Here is a look at this cut off Low that becomes a bowling ball across the Midwest through the 25th:
