Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Forensics
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
Summer sizzle: NYC, Boston among cities eyeing record highs this week Chevron right
July heat wave to scorch over 200 million people across U.S. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

95°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

95°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Forensics

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars
Heat Advisory

Weather Blogs / Western US weather

‘Omega Block’ to help bring rigorous system in the West this weekend

By Jordan Root, AccuWeather meteorologist

Copied

Computer weather models continue to show an “Omega Block” pattern setting up this weekend through early next week.

The “Omega Block” pattern refers to a buckling pattern in the movement of air in the atmosphere which resembles the Greek letter “Omega”, hence the name. There usually is a ridge in the upper air pattern with two troughs on both sides.

Omega Block West Blog

A classic "Omega Block" pattern is expected to develop late this week through at least early next week. Notice the upper-air flow resembles that of the Greek letter "Omega". This will bring cooler and more unsettled weather to parts of the western U.S.

The area under the ridge often features warm and dry weather while cooler and unsettled weather is found with the dips in the pattern. The far northwestern U.S. will be stuck in the cooler and more unsettled part of the pattern starting Friday and expanding farther south and east through the days after Friday.

The Southwest will see very warm weather towards the end of the week and the Rockies will get warmer weather over the weekend into early next week with the ridge passing over.

SW US Warm End of Week West Blog

A rigorous upper-level low is expected to move into the Northwest Friday and then dive into the Southwest as it gets blocked by the “Omega” ridge.

This system will bring cooler air along with showery weather. The cooler pocket of air aloft will also bring instability and there will be some thunderstorms as well.

The Northwest U.S. will have to deal with this system Friday and Saturday while central and Southern California and the Southwest U.S. will deal with it Sunday to Tuesday and perhaps longer. This upper-level low will be cut off from the main flow and blocked by the ridge so it is possible it lingers past Tuesday.

500 mb Omega Pattern West Blog

A vigorous upper-level low will arrive in the Northwest Friday and dip southward as it is blocked by an Omega ridge. This will bring cooler and unsettled weather to the far West. Loop shown is GFS 500 mb height, wind and vorticity weekend into early next week.

Southern California will likely see showers and even a few thunderstorms Sunday and Monday.

Snow levels in the Sierra and Transverse Ranges will drop down to around 5,500 feet or so over the weekend with some fresh mountain snow likely.

Check out your local forecast on AccuWeather.com for more in depth weather information. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @RootWx or e-mail jordan.root@accuweather.com with any questions or comments! Thanks!
Report a Typo

Weather News

Health

South Carolina swimmer dies from brain-eating amoeba

Jul. 23, 2025
Weather News

Dozens feared killed after plane crashes in Russia’s Far East

Jul. 24, 2025
Weather News

The day Niagara Falls ran dry: Here's what it looked like

Jul. 21, 2025
Weather News

Inside the grueling recovery effort after Texas’ deadly flood

Jul. 15, 2025
Weather News

The Deadliest Floods in Texas History: A State at Risk

Jul. 16, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms to bring a risk for flash flooding

Jul. 21, 2025
Hurricane

Tropical development lurking in the Gulf for late July

Jul. 22, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

ABOUT THIS BLOG
Western US weather
Brian Thompson
The Western US Weather blog provides regular updates and analysis on western U.S. weather.
  • Astronomy
    with Dave Samuhel
  • Canadian weather
    with Brett Anderson
  • Global climate change
    with Brett Anderson
  • Global weather
    with Jason Nicholls
  • Northeast US weather
    with Elliot Abrams
  • Plume Labs on Air Quality
    with Tyler Knowlton
  • RealImpact of weather
    with Dr. Joel N. Myers
  • WeatherMatrix
    with Jesse Ferrell
  • Western US weather
    with Brian Thompson

Featured Stories

Travel

AeroMéxico plane nearly lands on top of Delta Air Lines 737 taking off

1 day ago

Weather News

Firefighters rescue four cows from quicksand on riverbank

23 hours ago

Weather News

A low-lying Asian country’s defense against rising seas

21 hours ago

Weather News

Hershey says it is hiking chocolate prices

23 hours ago

Weather News

‘Shark Whisperer’ swims its way into our shark obsession

1 day ago

AccuWeather Weather Blogs ‘Omega Block’ to help bring rigorous system in the West this weekend
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Get AccuWeather alerts as they happen with our browser notifications.

Notifications Enabled

Thanks! We'll keep you informed.