Friday, December 30, 2011

Jet Stream Reverts Back to La Nina Pattern



After a fairly wet December in which we saw a surplus of rain, the weather pattern has shifted back into a dry pattern for East Texas as we ring in 2012.


If you recall, we had several west coast storms move into the state, providing us with rain about every three to four days throughout this past month.




That is no longer the case as the Jet Stream (fast current of winds in the upper atmosphere) has shifted to the north, changing the overall storm track. It is this configuration of the Jet Stream that led to the exceptional drought over the past year and a half.


While the dip in the jet allows strong cold fronts to head our way, it cuts off the moisture supply, which therefore, limits rainfall for East Texas.


This pattern looks to hold for the first full week of 2012, which means we will be in store for some cold, but dry weather.

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