Download: RSS | Email Alerts | Mobile
Print this Story
Set Text Size SmallSet Text Size MediumSet Text Size LargeSet Text Size X-Large

Canadian AIr - Jan. 9, 2009


Last Update: 1/18 10:15 am
From Mark: There have been some very cold temperatures in Canada the past few
weeks.  Do you expect any of that cold air to make it this far south any time soon?

    Do not put away your coat just yet. We will definitely have more cold weather before spring arrives.  Some of our heaviest snows have fallen in March.

     On television I talk a lot about the jet stream.  It is the driving force behind weather
changes.  The jet stream is a river of air about 30 thousand feet above the ground. 
At this time the jet stream is bowed well to our north, but that will change. 

     Arctic and polar air masses get pulled south into more southern latitudes as the jet stream changes. When winds blow cold air to a region of warmer temperatures this
is called cold air advection. Here is the good news: meteorologists can see this happening days in advance.  This allows farmers, ranchers, and the rest of us time to prepare for the bitter cold.

     These air masses have names.  Continental polar air masses often have little moisture
associated with them and sweep into the Midwest and northern plains this time of
year.   The air is chilled from the snow that covers northern and central Canada.
Maritime polar air masses move over cold ocean currents and more northern latitudes which impacts the Northwest with rain and fog.  Maritime polar air can create heavy rain and snow on the windward side of mountains.

     Spring begins this year on March 20th.  We will have much more cold weather before that date hits, and even a few more after spring has sprung.      

       If you have a weather question for Dan, send it to: askdan@kjrh.com


Most Popular
Scripps TV Station Group
© 2009 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Privacy Policy (Updated) | Terms of Use (Updated) | EEO
More news and information
from our local news partners
  This site is hosted and managed by Inergize Digital.