If you are wondering why the Eastern half of the nation has been experiencing colder than normal temperatures and out West has been warmer than normal, you can look to the North Atlantic for the cause.
The North Atlantic Oscillation or NAO is a weather phenomenon that effects our winter. To make a long story short, it controls the strength and direction of the westerly wind patterns and storm tracks over the North Atlantic and in the winter, North America. It forces the jet stream down into the Continental U.S. for periods of time. The cold air has trouble penetrating the Rocky Mountains so it stays east of the mountain range. When the NAO goes to what the meteorologists call "negative", the high pressure over the North Atlantic blocks the jet stream, forcing the cold down to the Eastern portion of the nation. When it goes "positive" or "neutral", it allows a more zonal (west to east) weather pattern, hence, not allowing the northern jet stream to bring down the cold.
Yesterday's high in Monticello was 54. Our low this morning was 43.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Funny, I was going to blame it on the liberal elite...can't we find some way this is Al Gore's fault? He got us all worked up about global warming, but now we're not warming enough?
(note: I do understand the bigger issue of global warming. Just attempting to be funny!)
Isn't it funny when and where ALGORE has Glogal Warming summits, it's usually so cold and snowy that people can't attend!!!!!
Post a Comment