Pattern Shift Brings 3 Changes Next Week

Linda Lam
Published: April 29,2016
Changes are coming in the week ahead due to a shift in the weather pattern. The changes will be particularly welcome to the severe weather weary Central U.S.
Active weather has been the story this past week, with rounds of severe thunderstorms in portions of the Plains, Midwest and South, as well as snow in the Rockies. Next week will be a different story as the jet stream lifts northward, allowing a ridge of high pressure to build over the central U.S. At the same time a southward dip in the jet stream, or upper-level trough, over the East will develop. The consequences of this shift will be a few changes in the weather heading into next week.
Here's a closer look at three changes we are watching for next week.

1.) Drier Days Ahead

Next Week's Forecast

The threat of severe thunderstorms and flash flooding will continue into the weekend in parts of the southern Plains, Mississippi Valley and South. This next round comes after storms have already brought severe weather to the region earlier this week.
(MORE: Severe Weather Impacts Late April)
Wet weather will linger into early week in the South and East. Thunderstorms are likely, especially toward the Gulf Coast, but the chance for severe thunderstorms will decrease.
By midweek, the risk of showers and thunderstorms will be confined to the East Coast. High pressure will move into the Plains, bringing a stretch of dry weather to the central U.S.
This area of high pressure will slide eastward late in the week, resulting in dry conditions for areas east of the Rockies. This is good news for the water-logged areas of the South, as this weather pattern will give areas the opportunity to dry out a bit and clean up any storm damage.
(MORE: Over Six Feet of Rain Over the Past 12 Months)

2.) Spring Returns to the South

Forecast Highs Early Next Week

Portions of the South have been enjoying a taste of summer this past week due to high and low temperatures that have been 10 to 15 degrees above average.
Highs have soared into the 80s and even a few lower 90s this week and low temperatures have only dipped down into the 60s and 70s, serving as a reminder that summer is right around the corner. These warm temperatures have been courtesy of high pressure, which has allowed a southerly flow to bring the warmer conditions into the South.
The warm temperatures will not last much longer, however, as the ridge of high pressure will slide eastward and an area of low pressure will approach from the west. The result will be slightly cooler temperatures, along with the chance of showers and thunderstorms.
(FORECASTS: Atlanta | Charleston, South Carolina | Jackson, Mississippi)
Temperatures will be closer to average for early May, but for many areas the temperature difference will be 10 to 15 degrees compared to the end of this past week. Highs next week will typically be in the 70s, with 80s toward the Gulf Coast. Lows will also be slightly cooler with temperatures dropping into the 50s for much of the South, with 60s toward the Gulf Coast and Florida.

3.) Warmer Days Ahead

Forecast Highs Compared to Average

Another area of the country that will see some of the big changes next week are the Rockies.
An area of low pressure is bringing snow to the Rockies and parts of the High Plains to end April. Over a foot of snow is possible in some of the highest elevations of Colorado, with even the Denver area seeing some snow accumulation.
(MORE: Late-April Winter Storm)
Snow showers may linger through this weekend in parts of Wyoming, Colorado and northern New Mexico. Accompanying the snow will be chilly temperatures. High temperatures will be up to 30 degrees below average into early next week in the Rockies and portions of the Plains.
Mid-to-late week, the upper-level trough will be replaced by an upper-level ridge of high pressure. This will translate into warmer and drier conditions for the region.
(MAPS: 10-Day Forecast)
High temperatures will be up to 20 degrees above average by late next week in the Rockies and northern Plains. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 80s as far north as Montana. Denver will go from seeing highs in the 30s on Sunday to highs near 80 by Thursday.
The warmer temperatures will also spread into the central Plains and the Upper Mississippi Valley to end the work week.
MORE: Severe Weather April 26-27, 2016 (PHOTOS)