I keep reading on other weather blogs mostly for the Northeast, that because there is no blocking in Greenland that is associated with a positive NAO, indicates some reason for the lack of big storms heading up the east coast. I am wondering for storms to track classic Panhandle Hook through the Midwest, does there need to be a negative or positive NAO for storms to track in the Midwest's favor? What features are key for good storm tracks through the Midwest.?
Positive NAO
- Thread starter 440_chazz
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A negative NAO situation has a bigger impact on storms for the NE US, but certainly lends some help in the central US and is usually an ingredient when a big snow storm is impacting the central US. Just as, or perhaps more, important is the jetstream position upstream in areas of Alaska and eastern Russia. A large ridge over Alaska will send the jetstream digging into the lower 48 and it is that digging of the jet that produces an upper air trough and thus big areas of low pressure at the surface for the US.
So far there has been a double whammy keeping any real cold and snow from happening in the central US with a positive NAO and a large upper air trough over Alaska.
-John
So far there has been a double whammy keeping any real cold and snow from happening in the central US with a positive NAO and a large upper air trough over Alaska.
-John