Good morning everyone! So someone posted a picture of the “Omega Block” similar to the picture below. So, what is this and how does it affect our weather? So basically, this omega block we are referencing about is made up of 2 cut-off lows. Remember we discussed a few weeks ago what a cut-off low was. It “cuts-off” from the flow of the jet stream at 18k feet above our heads. It sits there and spins with nothing forcing it to move. It can go anywhere it wants to and becomes a headache to the forecaster…LOL! It is also the reason for the phrase; “Cut-off Low, a weatherman’s woe”. Even though these are strong low pressure systems, they do not interact with the jet stream since they are “cut-off” from it. We don’t see the great turning of winds in height, we don’t get the “lift” that the jet stream provides to help aid in stronger thunderstorms, and the storms are weaker. This is exactly what we are in for next week, periods of rain and thunderstorms that are not severe. Now, with it being May, we cannot rule out a strong storm or two, but for the most part just thunderstorms. This was shown in the LRC and fits the pattern great, just that the lows were not cut off from the jet stream. However, as these finally move out to the east, we could see some stronger storms around the 9th/10th, as projected from the LRC. Then we have another strong system around the 14th thru the 16th, and this will likely be our next good chance to see severe weather here in West Central Missouri. Have a great Saturday everyone! Subby
