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Summer is building in

Summer begins at 1:46 AM Tuesday morning. The jet stream is weakening and shifting north, as it should at this time of year. The pattern is still going through the 77 day cycle, and I just doubt that a long term upper level (heat wave producing) ridge will settle in. The ridge should build and then back off into the southwest before building over the southeast part of the nation. Below you can see the forecast for early next week. Notice the 594 circle over the western Plains and southern Rockies. 594 means 594 decameters, or 5940 meters above the ground. This is where the pressure is 500 mb and thus why we call it the 500 mb chart. This is the level that shows how weather patterns are moving, better than any other level because it is half way through the atmosphere. 0 mb is the top of the atmosphere and 1000 mb is near the surface. So, 500 mb is right down the middle.


Click to enlarge

Anyway the ridge is building into Kansas and should allow the heat to strengthen early next week. The jet stream should flatten across southern Canada next week and this may allow a cold front to get into the region bringing a chance of rain. It looks dry until then!

Jamie is off this weekend. Brett gets to enjoy father's day. Jeff Penner is working Saturday night and I am working Sunday night. We hope you have a great weekend.

Gary Lezak

Posted by at June 17, 2005 8:56 PM