When it comes to storms that sweep across the Midwest, we are all obviously concerned about what happens right on the surface of the earth. As we should be, that’s where all the damage and destruction occur! But when you are analyzing an approaching storm system, meteorologists must look at all the levels in the atmosphere and see what the storm is doing in these parts. It’s here high in the clouds that scientists can get a better idea of how strong a storm may become, what directions the storm may take, and how quickly things can change for us here on the ground. It’s up in the clouds that radar can sometimes detect a tornado before one is even spotted. Even higher in the sky, where the jet stream lives, is especially important. Regions of upper-level divergence (divergence is where air runs into each other causing it to rise) near the jet stream can help push thunderstorms above severe criteria. If the air is moist and unstable, the presence of a jet stream becomes a concern for weather forecasters and is closely looked at as a possible area where storms may develop and where the areas of severe weather may be experienced. Looking at it another way, the jet stream can act as a “vacuum” that sucks up warm, moist air into the upper levels of the atmosphere creating a great deal of instability.
Weather Last Week
June 16: 55/87/0”
June 17: 53/74/0.19”
June 18: 43/83/0”
June 19: 54/97/0”
June 20: 56/105/0”
June 21: 47/100/0”
June 22: 57/83/0.08”
Forecast discussion for the week ahead:
90s for highs are likely as we head into the weekend, but a cold front is headed our way. That cold front is going to give us cooler air as we move into Sunday and next week, but it will also give us a chance for more severe storms.