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USA Today
02-05-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
An 'omega block' in atmosphere to bring chaotic weather for millions in US
An 'omega block' in atmosphere to bring chaotic weather for millions in US An "omega block" in the atmosphere will enhance the chances for stormy weather and big shifts in temperature over parts of the United States. Show Caption Hide Caption National Weather Service stretched thin after cuts, layoffs The National Weather Service is feeling the effects of budget cuts as funding freezes and layoffs stretch the agency thin. It can't be seen with the naked eye, but a curious weather pattern in the upper level atmosphere above the continental United States is forecast to generate unsettled weather and some big temperature contrasts into the weekend. An "omega block" is expected to form from California eastward into the Ohio Valley, the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center said on May 2. The blocking pattern is so named because its shape resembles the Greek letter omega. The unsettled weather will begin with a swath of heavy rain, flooding and potentially severe weather from the Southern Plains into the Ohio Valley on May 2, stretching from Texas into southern Pennsylvania. The greatest risk will exist from southern and eastern Texas into Kentucky and the weather service has posted flooding advisories across southern Oklahoma. A boundary of moist air along the cold front is forecast to stall in some areas, bringing repeated rounds of rain and storms, with a slight risk of excessive rainfall over portions of the lower Mississippi River Valley and parts of Texas, Arkansas and the southern Plains, the weather prediction center said. Several rivers that have been flooded in Northern Texas could see a slight bump in water levels over the weekend, according to the National Water Prediction Service. Fortunately for those along the Mississippi River, water levels are forecast to continue dropping despite the predicted rain. The front will make some progress south and eastward into Saturday, bringing shower and thunderstorm chances to the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Appalachians, and Southeast, the weather service said, where moderate to locally heavy rainfall is expected with some additional isolated instances of flash flooding possible. As the pattern amplifies over the weekend, stretching from west to east, It's expected to bring big contrasts in high and low temperatures. Parts of the Great Lakes and Midwest may experience cool temperatures well below average, down into the 50s and 60s. Next week will be a farewell to this recent summer preview in the eastern United States, thanks to a weather pattern known as a cut-off low. That's a large area of low pressure that gets "cut off" from the main jet stream and just sits and spins for days. It's forecast to bring a spell of cooler, damper weather to a region that's in desperate need of rain. Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Reach her at dpulver@ or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.
NBC News
08-04-2025
- Climate
- NBC News
Frigid temperatures and flooding still a major concern for much of the U.S.
Frigid temperatures still gripped much of the United States on Wednesday as 55 million people in parts of the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast remain under frost and freeze alerts. Temperatures are set to 10 to 25 degrees below average, leading to chilly weather over the next few days for areas east of the Mississippi River. The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center said in a Monday post on X that cold weather precautions should be taken. "Cold temperatures, near or below freezing, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings will be felt across areas that were impacted by the recent multi-day storms," the center said. The National Weather Service in New York cautioned that temperatures will be in the low to mid-40s on Tuesday, but the wind "will make it feel more like it's in the 20s in the morning and 30s in the afternoon." In Atlanta, a cooler airmass will bring cold temperatures Tuesday evening. Some areas could see freezing or near-freezing temperatures, the region's National Weather Service said in a Tuesday post on X. A slow rebound of temperatures can be expected heading into the weekend. Flooding also continues to be a concern on Tuesday following last week's destructive storms across the Midwest, mid-South and Northeast. At least 24 people were killed in the storms. On Tuesday, 20 river locations remained in the major flood stage. Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg said in a Facebook post on Monday that the Ohio River had reached 35 feet in the downtown area and was projected to crest at 37 feet on Wednesday. "This is officially one of the Top 10 flooding events in Louisville history," he wrote. "Please use caution when traveling, especially if it is along the Ohio River and be alert of road closures in your area." Outside of river flooding, the rest of the country could see some scattered showers, thunderstorms, and light snow but will have relatively low-impact weather. Light snow will move through New England on Tuesday, while Florida can expect thunderstorms and showers. On Wednesday, there will be more showers and storms across the Northeast. The Tennessee Valley will also see some strong storms on Wednesday.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Louisiana climatologist warns of flood threats from high Mississippi River levels
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana could see 'generational' flood threats as a result of excessive rain expected in the U.S., causing runoff to move down the Mississippi River. According to experts at the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center, portions of the Midwest and Mid-South are under a high risk of excessive rain with life-threatening flash flooding expected Friday afternoon through early Saturday and continuing through Sunday morning. 'This flooding event will be a marathon – not a sprint,' NWS wrote on X on April 3. Starting Saturday night, a severe weather threat with heavy rain, winds, and possible tornadoes is expected in the Baton Rouge area. State Climatologist Jay Grymes said a steady rise in the Mississippi River levels due to rain expected in the new few days could reach Baton Rouge and New Orleans by early to middle of next week. 'All gaging sites along the river in Louisiana will rise above flood stage. But remember, these stages do NOT take into account the protection of the levee system,' Grymes said. He said the latest 28-day forecast from the National Weather Service/Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center shows a rise at New Orleans continuing through April. He added that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could initiate the first flood fight phase around the middle of this month before possibly continuing to the second phase around April 22-25. In Baton Rouge, Grymes said the Mississippi River is expected to rise above flood stage (35 feet) in the next two weeks. He said there's a chance of the river climbing to or above 40 feet. 'That is still below the protection levels of BR's levees (~43-46 ft), but it is the highest the river has climbed for Baton Rouge since spring 2020,' Grymes said. Louisiana climatologist warns of flood threats from high Mississippi River levels USDA: Most states failing SNAP deadlines—but not Louisiana New Orleans nun who survived abduction in West Africa dies at 86 Trump administration weighs eliminating FEMA US must return Maryland father mistakenly deported to El Salvador prison, judge rules Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
