Weekly long-range pattern update

A significant pattern change is set to take place across North America, especially starting next week as high latitude blocking over far northeastern Canada establishes itself and forces cold air farther south, then east through southern Canada and into the northern two-thirds of the lower 48 states.

It appears that the coldest air relative to normal will be across the Rockies, southern Prairies, Plains and Midwest into the fourth week of March. Yes, the cold air will be coming into the east, but it is taking a long detour instead of a direct shot, so it gets modified some. Still, temperatures across the central and east will generally be below historical averages for a good chunk of March.

In terms of storms, the jet stream may end up being too far suppressed across the southern U.S. to deliver any major snowstorms next week and beyond, but it's still early and if the jet backs north in the east, then there will be some opportunities mid-month along the northeast U.S. coast.