Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Current Conditions
Temperature: 38°F
Feels Like: 29°F
Wind: Northeast @ 15 mph, Gusts @ 23 mph
Humidity: 93%
Pressure: 1003.1 mb ê

Rain persists and will continue to remain in the forecast for the next week. It has been a rainy last few days for much of the country, as precipitation continues to occur, thanks to a very large jet stream trough allowing for the development of a large low pressure trough/mid-latitude cyclone. A mix of conditions are currently affecting us, as we have a massive high pressure dome funneling cold air down from central Canada, a large mid-latitude cyclone that is continuing to move its way (slowly) across the country. It will be interesting to see what happens, as there is a chance that the storm could start to die off. The presence of an occluded front in the direct center of the trough could mean that the storm is cutting off its moisture supply a bit, through its relative proximity to the Great Lakes could help boost that moisture pool. Over the next few days, we should expect a gradual rise in temperatures, accompanied by a continuing chance for precipitation.

This map shows the current pressure and frontal systems for the country. As discussed, most of the eastern United States is being affected by a very large mid-latitude cyclone that has been moving across the country at a very slow pace. There is a chance that this will die out some, as the presence of occluded fronts signify that it could be cutting off its moisture supply. 

This water vapor map of the eastern United States shows the current concentrations of water vapor over the country. The classic comma shape shows helps to illustrate the location of the mid-latitude cyclone affecting much of the country. There is an especially high concentration over the Alabama and Florida coastlines, where there are currently some severe storms. A large dryline is following in the wake of the storm. There are very defined dry conditions where the high pressure dome is spinning, visible in North Dakota and to the north.

This map shows the current jet stream track for the country. There is a very large trough in the jet stream, currently, as a large high pressure system in central Canada is helping to push the jet south. This is allowing for the large low pressure trough to form that has created this mid-latitude cyclone.

This map shows the current surface data for the Midwest. Much of the viewing area is still completely overcast, with some exceptions to the northwest and southeast. Precipitation is present, being reported by many of the stations, with a few even reporting heavy snowfall.

This sounding shows the current atmospheric conditions for Minneapolis, Minnesota. Currently, there is some form of atmospheric activity in the form of non-severe weather.