A weather expert discusses the breakdown of the "Death Ridge" high-pressure system, which had been blocking severe weather in the Eastern US. As it dissipates, a new weather pattern is emerging, leading to an increased risk of severe thunderstorms, large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes across the Southern Plains and Eastern US. The expert attributes this shift to an El Niño phase, which is bringing a more active jet stream to the region. They also mention a potential tropical system forming in the Gulf of Mexico later this month, which could exacerbate severe weather conditions. The expert advises viewers to prepare for severe weather and recommends using a radar app to stay informed.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. A large area of severe weather is expected to break out in the Southern Plains on Saturday.
2. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an enhanced risk of severe weather for over 8 million people.
3. The risk includes large hail, damaging winds, and possibly a tornado or two.
4. This is the easternmost elevated risk of severe weather the country has seen in nearly a month.
5. May was the fourth consecutive May without a violent tornado, breaking the record of three consecutive Mays between 2000 and 2002.
6. There were no reports of wind, hail, or tornadoes in New York or Pennsylvania for the entire month of May.
7. The "death Ridge" and the resulting Omega block pattern kept storms out of the East.
8. The death Ridge is now falling apart, allowing storms to pass through more frequently.
9. The jet stream is expected to cause big storms, even with small disturbances.
10. Storms will be possible from Oklahoma City to Shreveport on Saturday.
11. The action will continue into Sunday, with warm and moist air in abundance across the mid-Mississippi and Ohio river valleys.
12. A pulse of colder air will push in, creating thunderstorms capable of producing hail and damaging winds.
13. There is a potential for a couple of tornadoes on Sunday.
14. The storms will also be packed with rich Gulf of Mexico moisture, leading to a risk of flash flooding.
15. A bigger, more powerful trough will form in the west on Monday, aiming at the central plains.
16. This trough could lead to several days of significant severe weather.
17. The jet stream is not supposed to be this far south this time of year, but it's not unusual in an El Nino phase.
18. The subtropical jet gets amplified enough to make it to the U.S. during El Nino phases.
19. The country is officially in an El Nino phase, which could lead to more stormy weather.
20. A final push of the trough develops a significant divot and charges into a huge plume of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico late next week, around Thursday the 15th.
21. This could initiate an anomalous severe weather outbreak, with multiple tornadoes possible.
22. The Gulf of Mexico is warm for this time of year, which could lead to explosive growth if a tropical system forms.
23. There is a consistent signal for some sort of tropical system to make it into the Gulf later this month.